Olympic Rugby Sevens: ANOTHER bumper crowd recorded as Women’s attendance numbers smashed
The Women's Sevens pulled in a bumper crowd
World Rugby have confirmed a staggering 66,000 fans packed the Stade de France for the opening day of the Women’s Sevens, setting a new record for attendance at a women’s rugby event.
It has now overtaken the previous figure of 58,498 at Twickenham for England v France in 2023.
This much-welcome boost for the seven-a-side format also comes off the back of stellar crowds for the men’s competition too, where 69,000 fans saw France win Gold.
Women’s Olympic Sevens day one round-up
The women’s event had a big billing following the success of the men’s tournament, but it more than lived up to expectation.
Great Britain got off to a winning start in the opening game of the tournament, as they beat Ireland 21-12. World SVNS Series champions, and Olympic favourites, Australia, also began their hunt for Gold with a win as they thrashed South Africa 34-5.
Pool C also got off to a bang, as the USA claimed a huge 36-7 win over Japan. After this, hosts France began in the best possible way on their quest to replicate the men’s team, as they beat Brazil 26-0.
Turning the attention onto Pool A, 2020 Bronze medallists Fiji came unstuck against Canada but the Gold medallists from the Tokyo games, New Zealand, thumped China 43-5 to begin their bid for back-to-back Olympic titles.
In the second round of fixtures in Pool B, Ireland avenged their early defeat to Great Britain with a 38-0 win over South Africa and Australia made it two wins from two as they breezed past Great Britain 36-5.
Back to Pool C, the USA downed Brazil 24-5 and France ran riot against Japan in a 49-0 victory.
Rounding off the day’s action in Pool A was the shock of the day. Fiji fell to a heavy 40-12 defeat to China, all but ending their hopes of a medal, and New Zealand also backed up their earlier win with a 33-7 victory over Canada.
Women’s Olympic Sevens day two fixtures
Pool B
GREAT BRITAIN 7S vs SOUTH AFRICA 7S
Kick-off: 14:00 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Pool B
AUSTRALIA 7S vs IRELAND 7S
Kick-off: 14:30 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Pool C
JAPAN 7S vs BRAZIL 7S
Kick-off: 15:00 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Pool C
FRANCE 7S vs USA 7S
Kick-off: 15:30 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Pool A
CANADA 7S vs CHINA 7S
Kick-off: 16:00 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Pool A
NEW ZEALAND 7S vs FIJI 7S
Kick-off: 16:30 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
9th Place Semi-Final
9TH PLACE vs 12TH PLACE
Kick-off: 20:00 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
9th Place Semi-Final
10TH PLACE vs 11TH PLACE
Kick-off: 20:30 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Medal Quarter-Final
A1 vs 8TH PLACE
Kick-off: 21:00 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Medal Quarter-Final
C2 vs B2
Kick-off: 21:30 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Medal Quarter-Final
C1 vs A2
Kick-off: 22:00 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Medal Quarter-Final
B1 vs 7TH PLACE
Kick-off: 22:30 local
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France