Sao Paulo Announced as a Host City of Expanded IRB Women’s Sevens World Series

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has confirmed that Sao Paulo will be a host city of the expanded Women’s Sevens World Series for 2013-14.

The new series hopes to capitalise on a successful debut season by hosting rounds across the world, starting on November 28 in Dubai and taking in Atlanta, Guangzhou, Amsterdam and now Sao Paulo.

Sao Paulo will be played February 21-22, falling in between Atlanta (February 15-16) and Guangzhou (April 4-6).

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The appetite for hosting our marquee women’s events has never been higher and the inclusion of São Paulo in an expanded IRB Women’s Sevens World Series reflects the incredible growth of the women’s Game globally as well as tremendous excitement in Brazil about the addition of Rugby Sevens to the Rio 2016 programme.

“Brazil boasts one of the world’s top-ranked international women’s teams and I have no doubt that the debut event at the Arena Barueri will prove popular and give us a taste of what to expect at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”

Brazilian women’s captain Julia Sardá added: “It’s essential that Brazil gets to play more rugby, as we will host the next Olympic Games. Having the opportunity to play against the best teams in the world with family and friends watching is amazing and we hope to show to the world that Brazilian rugby is evolving.”

The IRB will announce the destination of the sixth leg in due course.