The 16 captains get ready for the 2015 Marriott London Sevens

Today the world’s top sevens rugby players officially launched the Marriott London Sevens, round 9 of the 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series and the London leg of the Women’s Sevens World Series.

The players climbed aboard a Routemaster bus as England Sevens captains Tom Mitchell and Abi Chamberlain welcomed them to London.

The Marriott London Sevens will take place at Twickenham on 16th-17th May. Saturday sold out in record time but fans will be pleased to hear tickets are still available for Sunday.

The London leg of the Women’s Sevens World Series will be hosted at the Twickenham Stoop on 15th-16th May.  Tickets are available from quins.co.uk.  The final and third/fourth place play off will take place at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

This weekend’s event holds extra significance for the men’s tournament as the teams that finish in the top four of the HSBC Sevens World Series will automatically qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Speaking at the launch England Sevens Captain Tom Mitchell said: “This weekend is always a highlight for us as a squad as it’s an honour to play at Twickenham with such amazing home support Last year the crowd was incredible the way they got behind us as a team and we’re really looking forward to seeing them do the same this year”.

The sixteen team captains attending todays shoot were; South Africa, Fiji, New Zealand, England, Australia, USA, Scotland, Argentina, Samoa, France, Canada, Wales, Kenya, Portugal, Japan, Brazil.

WEEKEND INFORMATION

The theme for this year’s carnival weekend is galactic, with fans encouraged to take their inspiration from outer space for fancy dress and, as always, there will be plenty of off field entertainment for all ages as well as chances to win ‘best dressed’ prizes. With characters from Star Wars descending on Twickenham Stadium to join the action, the weekend is set to be out of this world.

Heathrow Express will parade a giant shirt on the pitch each time England play, while there will be live performances across the weekend from Lovetrain, the Kings of Disco; Komarni, the UK’s leading dance agency and Katumba a drumming troupe pushing the boundaries of music and performance.

Those wanting to take a time out from the on pitch action will be able to journey to the 7s Space Station.  As well as taking in the surroundings of the Marriott Galaxy Hub and HSBC Voyager, they can enjoy live music, player interviews, on-stage games, O2 Touch, kids’ inflatables, picnic areas and great food.

While on Sunday afternoon Wellington College and John Fisher School will replay the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens Finals on the Twickenham turf.

Rugby Football Union Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer Sophie Goldschmidt said: “To sell out Saturday with over two weeks to go until the Marriott London Sevens reflects both the growing profile of sevens and the ever increasing popularity of the event here at Twickenham.

“We are always pushing ourselves to take the event experience to another level and are excited to be the first UK governing body to work with Disney – the Star Wars characters will really bring our galactic theme to life. With the huge variety of entertainment and activities available across the weekend from all of our partners, I’m sure this will be a stellar tournament for fans.”