Preview to the 76th Middlesex Sevens

By Tim Skepper
August 14 2002

Traditionally the Middlesex 7s was always seen as a tournament for players & fans to enjoy as a climax to the end of a long, hard season. Recently, with the English rugby season becoming longer and harder, the organisers have seen fit to move it to August and use it as the curtain-raiser instead.

This, the 76th Middlesex 7s Tournament, is the third time the competition has been staged at the start of the season.Although the Premiership clubs have failed to win the tournament since 1995 (when a certain J. Liley was captain of the winning Tigers team) a new agreement starting this year could possibly see a premiership side lifting the trophy in 2002.

As well as the 12 premiership teams, two rugby league clubs, Bradford Bulls & Wigan Warriors (winners in 1996) will be represented, despite both having Super League commitments on Friday night. There will also be two other invitational sides, last year’s winners The British Army and also The Princess of Wales Regiment (who qualified as winners of the Middlesex Clubs 7s in May).

In an attempt to encourage teams to field stronger sides, a five-year agreement has been signed by all of the 12 Premiership clubs. They have all committed to include in their 12 man squad at least 7 players who have either:

(a) represented their country (at any international level).
or,
(b) played in at least 60% of Premiership games last season.

But many teams have already announced squads that stretch these commitments to the limit so who the favourites are is anyone’s guess.

With the Leicester squad still to be announced and injuries rife, it is difficult to predict how strong our team will be but expect to see a few new and young faces on display on Saturday.

The nominated charities this year are the Professional Rugby Players Association Benevolent Fund and Wooden Spoon Society.

Recent Finals:

2001 British Army 45 – 21 Newcastle
2000 Penguins 47 – 17 Saracens
1999 Penguins 40 – 35 Saracens (aet)
1998 Barbarians 38 – 20 Leicester
1997 Barbarians 55 – 5 Saracens
1996 Wigan R.L. 38 – 15 Wasps
1995 Leicester 38 – 19 Ithuba

For more information and news on the tournament: www.middlesex7s.com