Ultimate Sevens: Your Complete Guide to the New Clubs, Coaches and Marquee Players
Rugby SevensMonday, 24 August 2026 at 13:00
A new era of rugby sevens is almost here.
The first ever Ultimate Sevens Championship will bring together six new global franchises, with men's and women's teams competing under the same club identities across four major European rugby destinations.
Rather than traditional national teams, the competition has created six distinct identities representing different regions and cultures: Albion Athletic, Atlantic Novas, Clan Taran, Foudre Bleue, Pacific Current and Sol Feroz. Each has recruited a mixture of established international stars, emerging talent and marquee players with Olympic, SVNS and Rugby World Cup pedigree.
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The tournament will also introduce a different approach to sevens, with shorter, high-intensity matches designed to maximise entertainment and create a genuinely new competition outside the established SVNS circuit. With the squads now confirmed, here is everything you need to know about the inaugural Ultimate Sevens Championship.
Ultimate Sevens Championship: Dates, fixtures and venues
The inaugural championship will take place across four consecutive events in September 2026, travelling between Wales, France and England. Each club fields both a men's and women's team, with the competition culminating in a Grand Final in London.
| Date | Event | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 12 | Round 1 | Cardiff Arms Park | Cardiff, Wales |
| Friday, September 18 | Round 2 | Parc des Sports Aguilera | Biarritz, France |
| Thursday, September 24 | Grand Final | Gtech Community Stadium | Brentford, London |
The Grand Final will bring the championship to London on September 24, with the six franchises competing on the final day of the season.
The competition is built around a fast-paced format, with matches played over 10-minute periods without a half-time, while the championship will feature men's and women's rugby side by side.
The result is a tournament designed to sit outside the traditional international calendar while giving some of the world's best sevens players another opportunity to compete at an elite level.
MEET THE TEAMS: ULTIMATE SEVENS 2026
ALBION ATHLETIC
The team
Albion Athletic have arguably one of the most traditionally international squads in the Championship. There is a strong British and Australian presence, but players from South Africa, Fiji, France, the United States, Spain, Poland and Kenya also feature across the two teams. It gives Albion a genuine global feel while retaining a distinctly Anglo-Aussie backbone.
Marquee Players
Men: Charlton Kerr and Tristan Leyds
England's Charlton Kerr arrives as the captain for the 2025-26 SVNS season, giving Albion an experienced leader who knows exactly what is required at the highest level of sevens. South African Tristan Leyds brings even greater individual pedigree, having been an Olympian and crowned Men's SVNS Player of the Year in 2026. The pair offer Albion a combination of leadership, experience and proven world-class ability.
Women: Isabella Nasser and Abbie Brown
Australia's Isabella Nasser was selected in the 2026 Women's SVNS Dream Team, while Great Britain's Abbie Brown is a two-time Olympian and former GB captain. Brown's leadership experience and Nasser's recent success give Albion two outstanding figures around which to build their women's side.
Head Coach: Shannon Fraser
Fraser is one of the most experienced coaches in the competition. The Australian has worked extensively across the NSW Waratahs system, Australia's age-grade pathway and the Australian men's sevens programme, while also serving as an assistant coach with Fiji at the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cups.
More recently, he coached Australia Under-18s to victory over New Zealand Schools in 2024 before taking on the Albion challenge.
Full squad
Women: Isabella Nasser (Australia Sevens – 2026 Women's SVNS Dream Team), Abbie Brown (Great Britain Sevens – two-time Olympian, former GB captain), Kaitlin Shave (Australia Sevens), Carmen Izyk (USA Sevens), Juana Stella (Spain Sevens), Katie Shillaker (Great Britain Sevens), Paula Requena (Spain Sevens), Julia Druzgala (Poland Sevens), Georgia Lingham (Australia Sevens), Mette Zimmat (Denmark Sevens), Martyna Wardaszka (Poland Sevens).
Men: Charlton Kerr (Great Britain Sevens – 2025-26 SVNS captain), Tristan Leyds (South Africa Sevens – Olympian, 2026 Men's SVNS Player of the Year), Vuiviwa Naduvalo (Fiji Sevens), Stephen Parez (France Sevens), Jayden Blake (Australia Sevens), Jordan Sepho (France Sevens), Ben Dowling (Australia Sevens), Harry Wilson (Great Britain Sevens), Samuel Asati (Kenya Sevens), Rory Jennings (Great Britain Sevens), Nygel Amaitsa (Kenya Sevens).
DID YOU KNOW?
Shannon Fraser has coached at three different levels of international rugby. His career has taken him from Australian provincial and age-grade rugby to the national sevens environment, while he also worked with Fiji at two Rugby World Cups. That breadth of experience could be a major advantage in a competition where coaches are responsible for both men's and women's programmes.
ATLANTIC NOVAS
The team
The name might suggest a North American identity, but Atlantic Novas are anything but one-dimensional. Their squads stretch across the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Kenya, Japan, Spain and Poland, creating perhaps the most geographically dispersed franchise in the competition.
Marquee Players
Men: Lucas Lacamp and Stephen Tomasin
USA star Lucas Lacamp is an Olympian and one of the country's most dangerous attacking players, while Stephen Tomasin brings an extraordinary level of experience. The two-time Olympian has played at more than 70 SVNS tournaments and captained the USA through their recent campaign. Lacamp also scored the decisive try against Fiji that secured America's return to the top tier of SVNS.
Women: Krissy Scurfield and Faith Nathan
Canada's Krissy Scurfield is an Olympian and member of the Paris 2024 silver-medal winning squad, while Australia's Faith Nathan is a two-time Olympian and 2026 SVNS champion. Both arrive with experience of the very biggest occasions in the sport. Scurfield and Nathan are considered two of the fastest sevens players on the planet, with Atlantic Novas set for some supernova speed in the coming weeks.
Head Coach: Kelly Brazier
Brazier is one of the most decorated former players in the entire competition. The New Zealander won Rugby World Cups with the Black Ferns in both 2010 and 2017, while her sevens career included Rio 2016 Olympic silver and Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold. She has since moved into coaching, including work with Chiefs Manawa and the Black Ferns environment.
Full squad
Women: Krissy Scurfield (Canada Sevens – Olympian, Paris 2024 silver medallist), Faith Nathan (Australia Sevens – two-time Olympian, 2026 SVNS champion), Nia Toliver (USA Sevens), Ellie Boatman (Great Britain Sevens), Isla Norman-Bell (Great Britain Sevens), Sesenieli Donu (Fiji Sevens), Silvia Morales (Spain Sevens), Alex Kelter (USA Sevens), Chiharu Nakamura (Japan Sevens), Natalia Pamieta (Poland Sevens), Yuna Saigo (Japan Sevens).
Men: Lucas Lacamp (USA Sevens – Olympian, leading USA attacking threat), Stephen Tomasin (USA Sevens – two-time Olympian, 70+ SVNS tournaments), Maurice Longbottom (Australia Sevens – Olympian), Jeremiah Matana (New Zealand Sevens), Jaime Manteca (Spain Sevens), Enahemo Artaud (France Sevens), Ben Dalton (Australia Sevens), Tobia Sainz-Trapaga (Spain Sevens), Ryan Apps (Australia Sevens), Aaron Cummings (USA Sevens), Chrisant Ojwang (Kenya Sevens).
DID YOU KNOW?
Tomasin has played at more than 70 SVNS tournaments. That gives Atlantic Novas one of the most experienced players in the entire Championship — and one who has spent years competing against many of the stars he will now share a franchise with.
CLAN TARAN
The team
Clan Taran have assembled a squad packed with New Zealand and South African sevens pedigree, supplemented by talent from Australia, Fiji, Kenya and Uruguay. The men's squad in particular has an intimidating collection of established international sevens players, while the women's side contains Olympic champions and proven SVNS winners.
Marquee Players
Men: Roderick Solo and Shilton van Wyk
New Zealand's Roderick Solo is an established All Blacks Sevens standout known for his physical approach, while South Africa's Shilton van Wyk was an Olympian and member of the 2026 Men's SVNS Dream Team. It is a pairing that gives Clan Taran serious firepower and experience.
Women: Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Heidi Dennis
New Zealand's Jazmin Felix-Hotham is a Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist, while Australia's Heidi Dennis was part of the 2026 SVNS championship-winning side. Both have recent experience of lifting major international silverware.
Head Coach: Philip Snyman
Snyman arrives after an extraordinary period in charge of South Africa's Blitzboks. As a player, he won three World Series titles, Commonwealth Games gold and an Olympic bronze medal. As a coach, he subsequently guided South Africa to back-to-back SVNS World Championship titles as well as Olympic bronze at Paris 2024.
Full squad
Women: Jazmin Felix-Hotham (New Zealand Sevens – Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist), Heidi Dennis (Australia Sevens – 2026 SVNS champion), Mackenzie Davis (New Zealand Sevens), Eden Kilgour (New Zealand Sevens), Larah Wright (Australia Sevens), Mariana Talatoka (Fiji Sevens), Chantelle Miell (Australia Sevens), Kathy Baker (Australia Sevens), Lauren Torley (Australia Sevens), Sheila Chajira (Kenya Sevens), Camilla Carvalho (Brazil Sevens).
Men: Roderick Solo (New Zealand Sevens), Shilton van Wyk (South Africa Sevens – Olympian, 2026 Men's SVNS Dream Team), Selvyn Davids (South Africa Sevens – Olympian), Ricardo Duarttee (South Africa Sevens), Zain Davids (South Africa Sevens – Olympian), Dylan Collier (New Zealand Sevens – Olympian), Diego Ardao Ferres (Uruguay Sevens), John Okoth (Kenya Sevens), Tom Emery (Australia Sevens), Quewin Nortje (South Africa Sevens), Vincent Onyala (Kenya Sevens – Olympian).
DID YOU KNOW?
Clan Taran's coach has won at both ends of the Olympic journey. Snyman was part of the South African sevens setup as a player when the Blitzboks claimed Olympic bronze, before subsequently coaching the side to another Olympic bronze at Paris 2024. He now takes that experience into a completely new franchise competition.
FOUDRE BLEUE
The team
Foudre Bleue have perhaps the most obvious national flavour of the six clubs. France provides the backbone, but the squad also reaches into Canada, Fiji, Spain, Brazil, Kenya, Australia and New Zealand. The result is a French-led franchise with a distinctly global feel — perfectly suited to a competition built around international sevens talent.
Marquee Players
Men: Antoine Zeghdar and Paulin Riva
Antoine Zeghdar is a Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist, while Paulin Riva captained France to that historic Olympic triumph and was subsequently named in the 2025 Men's SVNS Dream Team. Two French Olympic champions leading the men's side gives Foudre Bleue an obvious identity.
Women: Valentine Lothoz and Carla Neisen
Valentine Lothoz brings experience of both 15s and sevens, while Carla Neisen is a two-time Olympian and Tokyo 2020 silver medallist. Their contrasting backgrounds give Foudre Bleue plenty of versatility.
Head Coach: María Ribera
Ribera is a former dual international who earned 176 caps for Spain Sevens and 27 caps in the XVs game. She appeared at two Rugby World Cups and has since built a coaching career with Spain's women's sevens programme, becoming head coach of Las Leonas in 2024.
Full squad
Women: Carla Neisen (France Sevens – two-time Olympian, Tokyo 2020 silver medallist), Valentine Lothoz (France Sevens/France XV), Charity Williams (Canada Sevens – Olympic gold medallist), Breanne Nicholas (Canada Sevens – Olympian), Mere Vocevoce (Fiji Sevens), Verenaisi Ditavutu (Fiji Sevens), Maria Garcia (Spain Sevens), Yasmim Soares (Brazil Sevens), Olivia Fresneda (Spain Sevens), Sinaida Mokaya (Kenya Sevens), Maria Calvo (Spain Sevens).
Men: Antoine Zeghdar (France Sevens – Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist), Paulin Riva (France Sevens – Olympic gold medallist, 2025 Men's SVNS Dream Team), Pol Pla (Spain Sevens – Olympian), Patrick Odongo (Kenya Sevens), Jayden Keelan (New Zealand Sevens), Ethan Waddleton (Australia Sevens), Ryan Oosthuizen (South Africa Sevens), Tom Burton (Australia Sevens), Regan Ware (New Zealand Sevens), Festus Shiasi Safari (Kenya Sevens), Matt Davidson (Australia Sevens).
DID YOU KNOW?
Foudre Bleue's coach is a genuine dual-code international. Ribera didn't simply move from playing into coaching — she built a career in both formats, representing Spain at two Rugby World Cups in the XVs game while also accumulating 176 caps in sevens.
PACIFIC CURRENT
The team
Pacific Current have built their identity around the Pacific and Australasia, with Fiji and Australia providing the foundations of their squads. But there is plenty of wider international representation too, with players from New Zealand, Kenya and Brazil adding further depth. Their four marquee players alone give the franchise an extraordinary collection of Olympic and SVNS pedigree.
Marquee Players
Men: Henry Hutchison and Terio Veilawa
Australia's Henry Hutchison is a three-time Olympian and member of the 2026 Men's SVNS Dream Team, while Fiji's Terio Veilawa is an Olympic silver medallist and was also selected in the 2026 Dream Team.
Women: Maddison Levi and Reapi Ulunisau
Australia's Maddison Levi is a two-time Olympian and member of the 2026 Women's SVNS Dream Team, while Fiji's Reapi Ulunisau is also a two-time Olympian and Dream Team selection. Four marquee players, four major international résumés.
Head Coach: Crystal Kaua
Kaua brings extensive experience across women's rugby and international sevens. She enjoyed major success with Chiefs Manawa before moving into international coaching, including a stint with Brazil's women's sevens programme. She also has experience across New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Japan, giving her an unusually broad understanding of the global game.
Full squad
Women: Maddison Levi (Australia Sevens – two-time Olympian, 2026 Women's SVNS Dream Team), Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji Sevens – two-time Olympian, 2026 Women's SVNS Dream Team), Savannah Bauder (Canada Sevens), Kahli Henwood (Australia Sevens), Bianca Silva (Brazil Sevens), Silika Qalo (Fiji Sevens), Vika Nakacia (Fiji Sevens), Isadora Lopes (Brazil Sevens), Freshia Oduor (Kenya Sevens), Ilisapeci Delaiwau (Fiji Sevens), Paula Schult (Australia Sevens).
Men: Henry Hutchison (Australia Sevens – three-time Olympian, 2026 Men's SVNS Dream Team), Terio Veilawa (Fiji Sevens – Olympic silver medallist, 2026 Men's SVNS Dream Team), James Turner (Australia Sevens), Waisea Nacuqu (Fiji Sevens – Olympian), George Bose (Fiji Sevens), Kevin Wekesa (Kenya Sevens), Jeremy Trevithick (New Zealand Sevens), Marcus Kershaw (Australia Sevens), Sevuloni Mocenacagi (Fiji Sevens), Finley Lloyd-Gilmour (Australia Sevens), Tony Omondi (Kenya Sevens).
DID YOU KNOW?
Pacific Current have four marquee players who have all been selected in the 2026 SVNS Dream Teams. Levi, Hutchison, Ulunisau and Veilawa give the franchise an extraordinary concentration of recent elite sevens recognition before a ball has even been kicked.
SOL FEROZ
The team
Sol Feroz are the most obvious expression of the Championship's Iberian and South American influence. Spain and Argentina form the backbone of the men's squad, while Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Fiji, Kenya and Ukraine also feature. It is an attacking-looking group with plenty of sevens experience and a distinctly Latin flavour.
Marquee Players
Men: Manu Moreno and Luciano Gonzalez
Spain's Manu Moreno was named in the 2025 Men's SVNS Dream Team, while Argentina's Luciano Gonzalez is a two-time Olympian and the 2025 Men's SVNS Player of the Year. Gonzalez has also been selected in the Dream Team in consecutive years, underlining his status as one of the elite players in the modern game.
Women: Thalia Costa and Jimena Blanco-Hortiguera
Brazil's Thalia Costa is a two-time Olympian and was a nominee for the 2025 Women's SVNS Player of the Year award. Spain's Jimena Blanco-Hortiguera is one of the country's most exciting young playmakers and represents the next generation of Spanish sevens talent.
Head Coach: Paco Hernández
Hernández has experienced Spanish rugby from almost every angle. A former Spain Sevens international, he moved into coaching and became head coach of the men's programme in 2023. His tenure included Spain's first World Series final appearance in Dubai in 2024, a historic 2025 SVNS World Championship silver medal and a 2026 SVNS Series bronze medal.
Full squad
Women: Thalia Costa (Brazil Sevens – two-time Olympian, 2025 Women's SVNS Player of the Year nominee), Jimena Blanco-Hortiguera (Spain Sevens), Bienne Terita (Australia Sevens), Ruby Nicholas (Australia Sevens), Emma Uren (Great Britain Sevens – Olympian), Megan Burns (Ireland Sevens), Sera Bolatini (Fiji Sevens), Nicole Heavirland (USA Sevens – Olympian), Marta Cantabrana (Spain Sevens), Ilona Zaishliuk (Ukraine Sevens), Moreen Muritu (Kenya Sevens).
Men: Manuel Moreno (Spain Sevens – 2025 Men's SVNS Dream Team), Luciano Gonzalez (Argentina Sevens – two-time Olympian, 2025 Men's SVNS Player of the Year), Joseva Talacolo (Fiji Sevens), Nathan Lawson (Australia Sevens), Francisco Cosculluela (Spain Sevens), Josep Serres (Spain Sevens – Olympian), Juan Ramos (Spain Sevens), Sebastiaan Jobb (South Africa Sevens), Simon Desert (France Sevens), Lautaro Bazan Velez (Argentina Sevens – Olympian), George Ooro (Kenya Sevens).
DID YOU KNOW?
Sera Bolatini is a former boxer — and made history for Fiji in the sport. The Fijiana Sevens player became the first Fijian woman to win an international boxing title, adding an extraordinary second sporting discipline to her rugby career.
WHAT NOW?
The wait is almost over. The first Ultimate Sevens Championship event takes place in the Cardiff Arms Park, on Saturday September 12, before the competition moves to Biarritz on the French coast and finally London.
For rugby fans, the attraction is obvious: six completely new club identities, men's and women's teams competing under the same banner, and a collection of some of the world's best sevens players competing together in a new format. The final destination is the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford on September 24, where the inaugural champions will be crowned.
The competition is also deliberately positioned as something more than another rugby tournament. Ultimate Sevens wants to bring new audiences into the sport, with a bold 'Don't Call it Rugby' campaign coupled with live entertainment, digital content and a modernised matchday experience built around the speed and spectacle of sevens.
And with Olympic champions, World Series winners and international stars spread across all six clubs, the inaugural season already has the talent to make a serious impression.
Follow RUCK throughout September for squad news, results, standout performances, player features and all the latest developments from the Ultimate Sevens Championship.
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