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This Sunday’s Manchester Sevens (MR7s) marks the third and penultimate instalment form the National Sevens Series. It’s a crucial time of the season with Samurai looking for further success and a possible Series win, with the other core sides in hot pursuit. 

UR7s caught up with Manchester’s event organiser Marco Vaghetti to learn more about what the teams can expect this weekend! 
 

The MR7s has changed its format for this year?

That’s right we are now just using one pitch at the Heywood Road stadium with the Men’s Open on Saturday and of course the big one, the National Sevens Series, on Sunday.

What will the change to the sole stadium bring?

I think it could make for a really good atmosphere. Last year was more of a spread out festival vibe but this will cram everyone in there. Heywood Road carries a lot of memories from the north-west rugby fans and Sale fans. We’ve really tried to build on atmosphere with music during the games and an on-site commentator.

What’s your background in rugby sevens?

I got addicted to sevens at school and found out about tournaments and played in a social team. I did some travelling in Fiji where all they talked about was sevens! They would play the sport with coconuts on beaches and would ask me about Ben Gollings every day! This combined with going to the likes of the Hong Kong Sevens and Dubai Sevens are the reasons I’m passionate it.

With the bigger sevens tournaments normally featuring in the southern areas of England, do you hope to make this the benchmark event up in the region?

We’ve felt there is a bit of a gap in the market up here with sevens in combining it with a world class event. The public have shown real interest in it which is encouraging with many other popular sports in the area.

And a big city like Manchester for all the players to enjoy?

It’s a top location and we want them to have a fun weekend in Manchester. It’s a buzzing and multi-cultural city with a great nightlife.

What have you made of the National Series so far?

I was down watching at RugbyRocks and it looked another level to anything I had seen before on the UK. It seems to be very professionally run.

Some of the core sides in the National Series were here last year and it was actually Samurai versus the White Marauders in one of the finals. It’s fantastic to have the top sevens sides in the country here and am looking forward to seeing some squads that are new to the Manchester compete.

And the MR7s has fallen at a pivotal time for the inaugural Series?

It really has and although we could see Samurai clinch the Series here I think the Marauders, Wailers and the Army will be push them all the way on Sunday. With the news that sides can qualify for the Middlesex Sevens it’s going to inspire a lot teams in that middle pack.

What can you tell us about the guest teams joining the nine core National Series sides?

It’s nice to throw these guest sides into the mix and they will bring a nice blend into proceedings. Sale Sharks return to the MR7s, coached by former international Steve Hanley and Pete Anglesea. Gameface Pacific Warriors will be mixture of Kiwis, Fijians and Tongans bringing more excitement. And GB Students will include some talented up and coming players that could go onto great things in the sport.

Along with RugbyRocks and the West Country you have managed to attract some quality teams to Saturday’s Men’s Open?

Absolutely! We have some foreign sides involved like the Venezuela team bringing something different to the event. Some Welsh sides and then Black Stallions with their Nigerian background will join some familiar teams to the UK circuit.

Best of luck the weekend Marco see you there!

Thanks UR7s!