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This summer’s inaugural USA Collegiate Sevens Championships has officially been launched with the teams and pools finalised. The event which is being run by USA Sevens LLC will take place at Columbus Crew Stadium in Ohio on June 4-6.

Following a familiar structure to the IRB Sevens World Series, 16 sides will battle it out in four pools over two days with the knockouts taking place on the Sunday June 6.

The draw has will see some interesting match-ups with organisers obviously wanting to keep together college rivalries.

Ivy League giants Dartmouth and Harvard go face-to-face in Pool A, with sporting thoroughbreds Penn State and Ohio State a fascinating clash in Pool D.

Cal Berkeley have dominated Collegiate 15-a-side rugby in recent years and are probable favourites at this early stage, but it is unsure how they will adapt to the Sevens game.

Tournament Director Dan Lyle is excited about the teams selected and the exposure the event will bring to the sport in the USA.

“We’ve brought together the best-of-the-best for the inaugural USA 7s Rugby Collegiate Championship Invitational,” said Dan Lyle, Tournament Director USA 7s Rugby.

“It’s a great opportunity to expose the sport to a mass audience in anticipation of inclusion in the Olympics.”

NBC Sports will both be showing live coverage of the tournament.

Pool A – California, Dartmouth, Harvard, Notre Dame,
Pool B – San Diego State, Tennessee, Florida, Indiana
Pool C – Army, Arizona, Navy, Arizona State
Pool D – Utah, Penn State, Ohio State, Bowling Green