High drama expected in Moscow over three days of sevens

Russia’s women will be looking to clinch the overall Rugby Europe Sevens Championship Series for 2021 in their own capital city of Moscow on Friday and Saturday.

This is the second of two Championship events this year and, having been victorious in Lisbon, Portugal, in round one in early June they will start as favourites this time out as they sit on 20 points, but have Spain (18 points) and Belgium (16 points) pulling on their coattails.

Indeed, even sides with less points could leap above them and claim the overall prize if things click for them.

Russia will have a chance to set their stall out early when they take on Germany in Pool A on Friday in the first match of the whole event. Also in the group are Portugal.

Spain, who were runners-up in Lisbon, begin their Pool B campaign straight after that Russia match against Wales. Also in the pool are Scotland who have Team GB wider squad member Rhona Lloyd back, so this could be a closely fought section.

Belgium, who finished third in Portugal, are joined in Pool C by Romania and Poland. The first match in this group on Friday is the Belgians against the Romanians.

Their event will finish with the knock-out stages on Saturday, the same day that the men’s tournament begins.

It will run until Sunday and, like the women, this is the second of two Championship events for 2021.

Leaders after the trip to Lisbon earlier in the month are Spain on 20 points with Germany and Russia on 18 and 16 respectively.

Spain are in Pool A for this competition with Poland, Portugal and Georgia. The first game on Saturday is between the Spanish and the Polish.

Pool B is made up of Germany, Lithuania, Russia and Italy. Germany and Lithuania meet first with the hosts looking to get off to a good start when they take on the Italians in the fourth tie of the day.

Fast forward a few hours and, in fact, one of the best ties of the first day in the men’s event could well be the last.

Germany play Russia in that one before the knock-out fixtures can be finalised for Sunday.

So, two great sevens events over three days in one location between Friday and Sunday, there is sure to be some brilliant rugby on show from the women and men and lots of twists and turns before the tournament - and the overall - winners are crowned.

All the action will be streamed on rugbyeurope.eu