This is the 27th University Games and this event in Kazan comes off the back of a successful Rugby World Cup Sevens which was also hosted by Russia, in Moscow.
The GB men’s side is laden with Welsh talent with Will Thomas and Sam Cross (both Cardiff Metropolitan) having previous experience at the highest level with Paul John’s Welsh side which competes in the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Adam Field (Cardiff) trained with Wales prior to John’s World Cup selection with the other Welshmen being Dorian Jones (Cardiff Met), James Cordy-Redden (UWE), Rhodri Davies (Cardiff Met) and Luke Treharne.
GB, managed by WRU’s Adrian Evans, cruised through to the knockout stages having remained unbeaten during pool play with convincing victories over Malaysia (59-5), Georgia (38-0) and Belgium (10-7). GB will now play Japan in the quarter-finals.
In the women’s competition, Great Britain, managed by WRU’s Sophie Bennett and featuring one Welsh player, Nia Davies (Cardiff Met) are one to two sides to go through to the quarter-finals unbeaten – hosts Russia being the other.
Great Britain defeated China, Italy, Brazil and USA and will meet France in their quarter final while China face Canada and Ukraine play Italy.
Men’s quarter finals:
Russia v Italy
South Africa v Belgium
France v Poland
Great Britain v Japan
Women’s quarter finals:
Russia v Brazil
China v Canada
Great Britain v France
Ukraine v Italy
