The Wales national rugby union sevens team is the international rugby sevens side for Welsh rugby union players. They currently compete in the IRB Sevens World Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens and in the Commonwealth Games.
Wales were the World Cup Sevens Champions after winning the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in the United Arab Emirates. But they relinquished that title after failing to defend their crown at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow.
The Welsh sevens squad was disbanded by the Welsh Rugby Union due to financial constraints. After a three-year absence, the Wales sevens team returned to international competition in the 2006–07 season.[1] They competed at half of the 8 tournaments and won the plate competition (fifth place) at each of them. They repeated this feat at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The star of the 2005–06 squad was Neath and Ospreys player James Hook. Hook has since progressed to the full Welsh national side. In 2006–07, Wales competed in the Dubai, South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, Scotland and England legs of the IRB's World Sevens Series, reaching the semi-finals of the cup at Twickenham and Murrayfield. Wales have competed in all 8 legs of the IRB Sevens Series since the 2007–08 season.
2009 Sevens Rugby World Cup
Results
In Wales's first ever Cup Final appearance in a major Sevens event, Wales played Argentina in the 2009 World Cup Final.
In the Group stages Wales beat Zimbabwe 31–5 and Uruguay 27–0 before losing to Argentina 14–0 in the final pool match, leaving Wales uncertain of a Cup Quarter Final spot. With results going their way Wales made it to the Cup Quarter Finals as one of the second place qualifiers for the first time in their history.
Wales beat favourites New Zealand in the Quarter Finals 15–14 and Samoa in the semi-finals 19–12.
Wales faced Argentina for the second time in the tournament in the Final. Wales started with the same team that played against New Zealand and Samoa earlier in the day. At half time Wales had a lead of 12–7 after tries from Richie Pugh and Tal Selley. In the second half Argentina levelled the score at 12–12. With less than 90 seconds left, Wales's Aled Thomas scored underneath the posts and with a successful conversion put Wales into the lead at 19–12. Argentina claimed the restart. After the siren sounded to indicate there was no time left on the clock Argentina fumbled the ball in a ruck leading to the ball being kicked out of play and Wales being crowned the 2009 Sevens Rugby World Cup Champions.
2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens (Winners)
| Day |
Round |
Opposition |
Score |
Scorers |
| Day one |
Group stage |
 Zimbabwe |
31 – 5 |
Tries: C. Hill (3), L. Williams, A. Brew
Conv: A. Thomas (3) |
| Day two |
Group stage |
 Uruguay |
27 – 0 |
Tries: R. Pugh (2), A. Thomas, J. Merriman, L. Beach
Conv: L. Williams (1) |
| Day two |
Group stage |
 Argentina |
0–14 |
Tries:
Conv: |
| Day three |
Cup Quarterfinal |
 New Zealand |
15 – 14 |
Tries: L. Williams, T. Isaacs, R. Pugh
Conv: |
| Day three |
Cup Semifinal |
 Samoa |
19 – 12 |
Tries: T. Isaacs, T. Selley, A. Brew
Conv: A. Thomas (2) |
| Day three |
Cup Final |
Argentina |
19 – 12 |
Tries: A. Thomas, T. Selley, R. Pugh
Conv: A. Thomas (2) |
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2009 World Cup winning squad
The 12-man squad, coached by Paul John of Pontypridd, for the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens.
IRB World Sevens Series record
Current squad
Squad to 2014 Commonwealth Games:[2]
Notable former players
Notable former coaches
References
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| Governing body |
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| National teams |
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| National team competitions |
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| Regional and club competitions |
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| Previous competitions |
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| Related articles |
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| Seasons |
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| 2022–23 events |
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| Former events |
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| Current stadiums |
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| Related articles |
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Lee Byrne
