đ The waiting is over for RugbyX a brand new format of the game making its inaugural appearance with an international cast at The O2. Tickets are on sale.
RugbyX has been described as rugby in its simplest form, and the 5 v 5 full contact action on a much smaller indoor pitch is guaranteed to be fast and furious as fans get their first experience of this new format of the game approved by World Rugby.
Six of the nations competing in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will take part. The men’s tournament features home nation England, Ireland and the Barbarians in Group A. France, Argentina and the USA make up Group B.
The womenâs competition starts at the semi-final stage and will feature four teams, England, France, Ireland and the USA. All four womenâs teams will play two games, a semi then either the final or 3rd/4th place play-off.
RugbyX is a game designed to reward high levels of skill and flair in tight areas. Coupled with a crowd close to the play on the pitch, lights and DJâs set to accompany the action a memorable day of sporting entertainment awaits.
Afternoon session starts at 3.30pm featuring the group stages.
Evening session starts at 8.30pm for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.
Tickets in advance – for single sessions or the double session – are available via the ‘Get Tickets‘ link.
Tickets on the day at the The O2 box office subject to availability. Checking the RugbyX Twitter feed before travelling is recommended.
The O2, Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 0DX
Travel tips: Getting to The O2 via tube is recommended. North Greenwich station is right on the doorstep and on the Jubilee Line in Zones 2 and 3. Get there from Central London in 20 minutes, or Stratford in 10 minutes.
About Rugby X:
The key difference from the traditional game are firstly the number of players (5 per side with 7 rolling substitues), secondly the size of the pitch (55m x 32m making it approximately half size), the length of each game (ten minutes per halve with no break) and lastly set piece formats that have been removed. Gone are line-outs (replaced by quick throws), competitive scrums (instead three person with hooking but no pushing), kick-offs and conversions – all designed to increase the time the ball is in play (circa 80% of game time).
It’s five points for a try with no conversions, drop goals or penalty goals.
Drawn matches are settled by ‘one-on-on’ where a single attacker from one team will try and score past a single defender from the other.
The six menâs teams will be split into two pools of three and will play against each other once across the afternoon session. The top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals that will take place in the evening session.  The teams at the bottom of each pool will also play in the evening session in a play-off for fifth place.
The four womenâs teams go straight semi-finals in the afternoon session with finals and third place play-offs taking place in the evening session.
đ For more great spectator sport check out our âWhatâs Onâ page. And for regular reminders to ensure you donât miss a moment of the action subscribe now to our free newsletter!