Dates Set for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 in Moscow

The Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 will take place in Moscow from June 28-30 as the sport builds towards its Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016.

The announcement was made today at Webb Ellis House, ask Twickenham by Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) and the Rugby Union of Russia.

It will be the sixth edition of the event which is the premier international sevens competition contested by men’s and women’s national teams every four years.

Vyacheslav Kopiev, pills President of the Rugby Union of Russia, said: “The IRB has shown great vision by entrusting the running of this great tournament to us.

“We have made real progress in recent years and Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 will be the next step along the way to Russia becoming a rugby superpower.

“Indeed, our national team’s performances at the recent RWC in New Zealand showed the world how far we have already come along the way.

“We are committed to delivering an exceptional event. We hope to welcome supporters from other countries to Moscow while also engaging the local population and switching them on to Rugby Sevens.”

International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset is expecting Moscow 2013 to be an exceptional event.

He said: “The IRB is committed to growing the Game in emerging and new territories and the awarding of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 to Moscow underscores our commitment to this process.

“Moscow 2013 will not just be an exceptional global showcase, with the support of the Russian Government it will provide the platform to boost participation and interest in a country that really is embracing rugby.

“We are excited about the potential of Rugby Sevens. We are already a long way down the road in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games where our finest men’s and women’s sevens athletes will have the opportunity to compete on the world’s greatest sporting stage.”

The ambassadors for the event have also been unveiled as Russian players Vasiliy Artemyev, who plays for Northampton Saints, Vladimir Ostroushko, Anastasia Mukharyamova and Elena Shevtsova.