Premiership 7s fixtures confirmed

Editor

The Premiership Rugby 7s kicks off an exciting new era this month with the four Welsh Regions joining the competition.

The Premiership Rugby 7s kicks off an exciting new era this month with the four Welsh Regions joining the competition.

The Welsh leg – at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday July 26 – will feature six thrilling derby clashes which will excite crowds in the heart of the Welsh capital and seal a new partnership between Premiership Rugby and Regional Rugby Wales.

“The bond between the Premiership Rugby clubs and our friends in the Welsh Regions gets stronger every year,” said Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty.

“I am delighted therefore that they will take part in the Premiership Rugby 7s. The tournament has grown each year and the participation of the Welsh Regions will take it to a new level.”

Premiership Rugby can also confirm that all four group stages of the Premiership Rugby 7s and the Final will be covered live on BT Sport, with highlights on ITV Sport. The Wales leg will also be shown on S4C.

In addition the best Premiership side in the 2014 Premiership Rugby 7s will go on to play in the World Club 7s on 16 and 17 August at Twickenham, joining Cardiff Blues and Gloucester, the 2013 winners.

Harlequins' star Ollie Lindsay-Hague is relishing the opportunity to wow the crowds once more. Lindsay-Hague, who starred in last year's tournament before picking up a shoulder injury, has featured all over the world for England in the game's shortened form and he believes that the Quins squad is bursting with youngsters ready to make an impression.

Group C's standout fixture may well be a repeat of this year's Premiership Final, when Northampton Saints and Saracens will meet in the final clash of the pool, staged on Friday 1 August.

However, Harlequins and Wasps will also be going full-tilt for a spot on Series Final day at the Twickenham Stoop on 8 August.

Lindsay-Hague insists Quins – who finished fourth in last year's World Club 7s at Rugby HQ – should be feared.

“There are a few boys who can make another impact this year,” said the 23-year-old.

“Obviously Charlie Walker and what he did with the 7s was brought through to the XVs and he had a good season.

“There are always young lads coming through and it'll be very interesting to see how they get on – there's always talent that will be on show.

“I'm sure they'll be showing what they're capable of doing in the 7s. It really does prepare you for the Aviva Premiership, it's on TV, and you can get your name out there for the coaches to see how good you are and how well you can cope.

“The boys might be a bit nervous before the tournament but that's sometimes what you need.”

The tournament kicks off in Wales this year, with Ospreys and Cardiff Blues facing off in the Group A curtain-raiser on July 26 – Newport Gwent Dragons and Scarlets complete the quartet, which will see the regions compete against each other at 7s for the first time.

Group B sees reigning champions Gloucester take on a host of pretenders to their 2013 Premiership Rugby 7s crown on Thursday 31 July, with local rivals Bath Rugby joining London Irish and Exeter Chiefs.

Group D completes the line-up on Saturday 2 August with Aviva Premiership Rugby giants Leicester Tigers going up against top-flight new boys London Welsh, as well as Newcastle Falcons and Sale Sharks.

Premiership Rugby 7s Series 2014all kickoff times are local

Saturday July 26, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park – Group A
Kickoff – 7.15pm

Ospreys v Cardiff Blues, Newport v Scarlets, Newport v Ospreys, Cardiff Blues v Scarlets, Ospreys v Scarlets, Newport v Cardiff Blues

Thursday July 31, Kingsholm Stadium – Group B
Kickoff – 7.15pm

Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester, Bath v London Irish, Bath v Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester v London Irish, Exeter Chiefs v London Irish, Bath v Gloucester

Friday August 1, Franklin's Gardens – Group C
Kickoff – 7.15pm

Harlequins v Northampton Saints, Saracens v Wasps, Saracens v Harlequins, Northampton Saints v Wasps, Harlequins v Wasps, Northampton Saints v Saracens

Saturday August 2, Kingston Park – Group D
Kickoff – 7.15pm

Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons, London Welsh v Sale Sharks, London Welsh v Leicester Tigers, Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks, London Welsh v Newcastle Falcons

Friday August 8 – Series Final
Twickenham Stoop – Kickoff: 6pm

The top two teams from each group qualify for the final.