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The 8th edition of the Roma Seven gets under way this weekend once again held at the Stadio dell' Acqua Acetosa. The annual event regularly sees some of the best invitational teams in the world descend on Italy’s capital in what’s become one of the most premier events of its kind.

Last year saw some intriguingly tight encounters with the British Army and Stellenbosh University from South Africa reaching the final. The Army saw off the French National team 21-7 in the last 8, whilst eventually winning through against the always highly talented Samurai International in the Semi-Final 24-12.

The South Africans got past home team ‘Seven Kings of Road’, before stunning the White Hart Marauders 28-15 in the last four. In a high scoring and entertaining final, played under the lights, it was the Army who had the final say edging past the vastly talented students 28-24 to grab the coveted title for the first time.

In line with previous years, 2008 brought in some of the biggest names in Sevens Rugby to compete, with the obvious attraction being Waisale Serevi who was part of the Seven Kings team. In years gone by the likes of Ollie Phillips, Roger Randall, Tim Walsh, DJ Forbes, Ben Gollings, and Alfred Penelise all turn out in Italy.

The spread of teams for this year is across five continents. As expected the Sevens Kings will be back this year looking to go one better then the finals they reached in 2002 and 2005. The talented Stellenbosch University are set to return and are confident of claiming back the title they took in 2006. The Clandestinos are an Argentine outfit with a selection of the best domestic players and players from the various Italian, French, English and Spanish Championships, whilst the original USA invitational side, Atlantis Rugby, are also looking to make their mark.

The French and Italian national teams will be in attendance as will the Froggies. Sevens superpower ULR Samurai, champions here in 03 and 05, are back with an always competitive side including former England Sevens’ David Smith who impressed in Bury and at Stirling on Scotland’s King of Sevens. Samurai head to Rome in confident fashion after winning the Amsterdam Sevens on the 16th-17th May. The White Hart Marauders, winners at Kinsale, Kooga Wailers, and the London Visigoths sides expecting to feature in the latter stages at the Acqua Acetosa.   

UR7s will be writing a feature on the Rome 7s including all the results next week.