What Is 7s Rugby

The Ultimate Test of Rugby Skill

7s rugby strips the game to its essence: speed, skill, and split-second decisions. Played with seven players on a full-sized pitch, 7s rewards athleticism, technical excellence, and tactical intelligence. From the Olympic Games to the World Series, 7s showcases the most exciting rugby on the planet.

Why 7s Develops Better Players:

The space and time in 7s forces players to develop:

01Complete skill sets (everyone handles the ball)

02Superior conditioning (repeated high-intensity efforts)

03Decision-making under pressure

04Communication and spatial awareness

05Composure in 1v1 situations

Many of the world's best 15s players - Sonny Bill Williams, Cheslin Kolbe, Perry Baker - developed their games through 7s.

The Format

Programme Structure

The Men's 7s Programme runs through the summer, maximising the 7s season and outdoor training conditions. This is an intensive, high-performance programme designed to develop elite 7s players.

Programme Details

Age Range16-21 years old

Duration6-8 weeks (June - August)

Training Hours20-25 hours per week

LocationBrunel University London & Ealing Trailfinders

AccommodationAvailable on-campus (optional)

Programme Dates

TBC

Programme dates to be confirmed. Contact us for details.

Accommodation available for all programme options - contact us for details.

The Summer Ahead

What to Expect

The Men's 7s Programme is demanding, fast-paced, and designed to push you to become a complete 7s player. Here's what your summer will involve:

Training Focus Areas

Speed & Power

•Acceleration and maximum velocity

•Power output and explosive strength

•Agility, footwork, and change of direction

•Repeated sprint ability (7s-specific fitness)

•Speed under fatigue

Technical Excellence

•Passing accuracy at pace

•Offloading in contact

•Footwork and evasion (beating defenders 1v1)

•Tackling in space

•Breakdown speed (quick ball and turnovers)

•Kicking (restarts, tactical, goal-kicking)

Tactical Mastery

•Attack shapes and plays

•Defensive systems (line speed, drift, blitz)

•Restart strategies (winning your own ball, pressuring opponents)

•Game management (scoreboard, clock, momentum)

•Reading space and exploiting mismatches

7s Fitness

•High-intensity interval conditioning

•Aerobic base for recovery between games

•Strength and power for contact

•Core stability and injury prevention

•Tournament conditioning (multiple games per day)

Mental Performance

•Decision-making at speed and under fatigue

•Communication and on-field leadership

•Composure in high-pressure moments

•Tournament mentality and recovery

•Confidence and self-belief

Match Play

Test Yourself in Competition

7s is learned through playing. The Men's 7s Programme includes extensive competitive opportunities to apply your training under pressure.

Internal Competition

01Weekly inter-squad tournaments (round-robin format)

02Skills competitions and challenges

03Fitness testing and performance benchmarking

External Competition

01Entry to invitational 7s tournaments

02Fixtures against clubs, academies, and development squads

03University and age-grade representative teams

Showcase Events

01End-of-programme tournament with external teams

02Talent scouts invited from professional clubs

03National programme selectors invited

The Staff

Expert 7s Coaching

Our coaching team brings specialist 7s expertise from international, professional, and elite development environments.

01Head 7s Coach - 7s specialist with professional/international experience

02Attack Coach - Offensive systems and skill development

03Defence & Breakdown Coach - Defensive systems and contact area specialist

04Speed & Power Coach - 7s-specific conditioning

05Performance Analyst - Video analysis and tactical insights

All coaches hold:

•RFU Level 3+ coaching qualifications

•7s-specific coaching experience

•Professional playing or coaching backgrounds

•DBS checks and safeguarding training

Where You Train

World-Class Training Environment

Brunel University London

•Multiple grass pitches (full-size for 7s training)

•Indoor Athletics Centre (IAC) for speed and conditioning

•Elite strength and conditioning gym

•Video analysis suite

•Sports science and physiotherapy support

•Recovery facilities (ice baths, compression)

Ealing Trailfinders

•Professional-standard training pitches

•Championship-level facilities

•Professional coaching environment

Where It Leads

Where Men's 7s Can Take You

7s opens doors to elite rugby opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. The Men's 7s Programme is designed to accelerate your pathway.

GB 7s

Olympic programme pathway through GB 7s.

Professional Club Rugby

7s skills catch the eye of professional club scouts. Many Premiership players have 7s backgrounds.

Professional Club Rugby

7s skills catch the eye of professional club scouts. Many Premiership players have 7s backgrounds.

University Rugby

Preparation for BUCS 7s and top university programmes (Bath, Exeter, Hartpury, Loughborough, etc.).

International Opportunities

Connections to professional 7s circuits and overseas opportunities.

Selection

Is This Programme For You?

This programme is designed for:

01Male rugby players aged 16-21

02Players with rugby experience at club, school, or representative level

03Athletes with speed, power, and ball skills

04Players wanting to develop their overall game through 7s

05Those seeking pathway opportunities in 7s or 15s

06Committed individuals ready for intensive training

You don't need to be:

•An existing 7s player (we'll develop your 7s game)

•At representative level already (though it helps)

•Certain about a 7s career (skills transfer to 15s)

What we're looking for:

•Athletic ability and physical potential

•Technical ability or clear potential to develop

•Coachability and work ethic

•Competitive drive

•Team-first mentality

The Detail

Investment & What's Included

Programme Options

Full Summer Programme8 weeks

Block 1 (First Half)4 weeks

Block 2 (Second Half)4 weeks

Contact us for current pricing and payment options.

Training

•20-25 hours per week of elite coaching

•Speed and power conditioning

•Technical and tactical development

•Video analysis and individual feedback

•Sports science and physio support

Competition

•Internal tournaments and match play

•Entry to external tournaments (where applicable)

•End-of-programme showcase event

Facilities

•Full access to Brunel University sports facilities

•Access to Ealing Trailfinders training ground

•Elite gym and conditioning facilities

•Recovery facilities (ice baths, compression, physio)

Extras

•Programme training kit (shirt, shorts, socks)

•Individual player assessment and report

•Certificate of completion

•Pathway guidance and recommendations

Your Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need 7s experience to apply?

No. We welcome players from 15s backgrounds who want to develop their 7s game. We'll teach you the specific skills and tactics.

Can I attend just part of the programme?

Yes. You can book Block 1, Block 2, or the full programme depending on your availability.

Is accommodation compulsory?

No. Accommodation is optional. Day players are welcome if you can commute to Brunel University.

What level of player are you looking for?

We're looking for players with rugby experience at school, club, or representative level. You should have basic rugby skills and good athletic ability.

Will there be scouts at the programme?

Yes. We invite talent scouts from clubs, universities, and national programmes to our showcase events.

What kit do I need to bring?

Bring your own boots, mouthguard, and personal training wear. We provide a programme training kit.

Is this programme suitable for 16-year-olds?

Yes. We have appropriate supervision and safeguarding in place for all participants, including under-18s.

What happens if I get injured?

We have sports physiotherapy support on site. Serious injuries will be referred to appropriate medical care. We recommend all players have appropriate insurance.

Limited Places

Ready to Join Men's 7s?

Places are limited | Apply early to secure your spot

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