France’s men’s rugby sevens team has qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after securing the Rugby Europe Grand Prix Series title at the weekend.
France defeated England 14-5 in the final round in Exeter, UK, to complete a clean sweep of titles across the three series events. As a result, France has become the eighth team to confirm their place in the 12-team men’s competition at Rio 2016.
Meanwhile Spain converted their solid recent form to secure second in the standings and progress to the global repechage tournament that will deliver the final qualifier.
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World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said:"Rugby sevens continues to reach out and inspire fans ahead of its Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016 and the qualification process has certainly added to the excitement with high-quality and competitive events across the regions."
"France have impressed throughout the Rugby Europe Series and the players can now look forward to representing their country on the world’s biggest sporting stage as Olympians."
France joins Brazil (automatic); Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, Team GB (via HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series); USA (North America) and Argentina (South America) as qualified teams. Regional qualifiers in Oceania, Asia and Africa in November will deliver a qualifier each, while the final place will be determined through the repechage (date TBC).
DOMINIC RUMBLES
World Rugby Head of Communications
T: +353-1-240-9206 / +353-86-852-0826
E: Dominic.rumbles@worldrugby.org
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