A thrilling weekend of Rugby World Cup Sevens action in Bucharest has established the whole 40-team line-up for the tournament in 2022. It was a two-day shootout at Stadionul Naţional Arcul de Triumf for a chance to win one of eight plane tickets to Cape Town for the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 Europe Qualifier.
A pool stage pared down the 24 hopeful teams who had travelled to Romania to eight men’s and eight women’s teams, which then competed in a series of one-off play-off matches. Although they had already qualified for Cape Town, Spain’s women needed a late converted try to knock out Belgium 14-12.
England will join them in the RWC Sevens in 2022, although Czechia pushed them all the way in their play-off before a few late scores sealed a 19-5 victory. Like England, Poland entered the knockout round unblemished. In their play-off match against Germany, which they won 43-0, they never seemed in any real danger of losing. Defending RWC Sevens 2009 champions Wales finished second in Pool C and were beaten 12-0 by Belgium in the opening half of their elimination play-off.
On Sunday morning, Germany had eked out a 12-10 victory over Wales to take first place in Pool C. As a result, both sides will be travelling to Cape Town in September. Germany defeated Italy 24-7 to secure their qualification.
The 24 teams to qualify for the men’s tournament are South Africa, Argentina, England, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Scotland, USA, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Hong Kong, Korea, Australia, Samoa, Tonga, Chile, Uruguay, Canada, Jamaica, Germany, Ireland, Portugal and Wales.
