The Ultimate Sevens tournament is set to kick off with an exciting draft, featuring a star-studded lineup of players from around the world. This inaugural season promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with 17 nations and 131 players participating in both men's and women's teams. The competition will take place across four consecutive weeks in Spain, Wales, France, and England in September, with head coaches already confirmed. Each team will have a squad of up to 12 players, including two marquee players, nine elite players, and one academy player. The draft is underway, with clubs selecting players for their male and female squads across five rounds this week. The marquee players have been announced, and the full squads will be finalized by the end of the week. Pacific Current has secured Fijian and Australian stars Maddison Levi and Reapi Ulunisau for the women's side, while Henry Hutchison and Terio Veilawa will join the men's squad. Spanish talent Manu Monero and Luciano González will represent the men's team Sol Feroz, with Thalia Costa and Jimena Blanco-Hortiguena leading the women's side, which recently earned promotion to the SVNS Series. Atlantic Novas will feature USA and Canadian stars Lucas Lacamp and Stephen Tomasin, alongside Krissy Scurfield and Faith Nathan on the women's team. Albion Athletic has signed Abbie Brown and Isabella Nasser, with the latter named in the SVNS Dream Team of the Year, while Tristan Leyds, the Men's SVNS Player of the Year, will join Great Britain captain Charlton Kerr. Clan Taran will showcase a strong Southern Hemisphere presence, with New Zealand's Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Roderick Solo, along with Australian Heidi Dennis and Blitzbok Shilton van Wyk. Foudre Bleue will field a French contingent, with Paris gold medalist Antoine Zeghdar and teammate Paulin Riva on the men's team, and XVs convert Valentine Lothoz and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carla Neisen on the women's side. The draft will conclude this week, with all teams set to confirm their remaining elite and academy players before the tournament begins in September. This event is a testament to the global reach and talent of rugby sevens, offering a unique and exciting format that will captivate audiences worldwide.
