Contributed by Sadaf Salim

Singapore, Wednesday, September 28, 2011 –- The Singapore Cricket Club has unveiled the details of this year’s SCC Rugby 7s tournament which will see a host of quality sides play over three days from November 4th to 6th to claim the coveted Ablitt Cup.

Headlining the list of visiting teams is the French national 7s side, who have identified the SCC tournament as the ideal preparation ahead of the IRB Sevens World Series which kicks off on Australia’s Gold Coast on 25 November.

The French side will face some stiff competition from the HBSC Penguins, the defending Ablitt Cup Champions and one of the strongest invitational sides currently playing on the international sevens scene. Fiji’s Davatalevu club side will also be back and will be determined to get their hands on the silverware after finishing runners-up two years running in 2008 and 2009.

Randwick, one of seven Australian teams, will also feature in the 2011 tournament. The prestigious Sydney club has produced close to 100 Wallabies since its formation in 1882, including the 2011 Rugby World Cup representatives Rocky Elsom, Kurtley Beale and Drew Mitchell.

Auckland club Ponsonby will lead the New Zealand contingent of teams to Singapore, alongside the 2010 SCC 7s surprise package Horowhenua-Kapiti. Ponsonby, like Randwick, has also produced a number of 2011 Rugby World Cup representatives such as All Blacks lock Ali Williams and Manu Samoa fullback Paul Williams.

Singapore will provide two teams in the shape of the host team the SCC and the Singapore National Rugby team. The remainder of the 24 participating teams are made up of teams from Brunei, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia and Sweden.

For the second consecutive year, the competition will be staged over three days and nights, with the first round of Ablitt Cup games being played under floodlights on the Padang on Friday 4 November. The first day of the tournament will also stage the first round of matches in the SCC 7s women’s competition. Recently crowned Plate winners at the Asia Pacific Women’s 7s in Borneo, the Singapore National Women’s team will be competing against national teams from around the region for a spot in the finals on Saturday, November 5th.

Sunday, November 6th, will be an action-packed day of 7s rugby, beginning with the finals of the National Schools and Colleges tournaments. Champions will emerge in the Len Foster Cup (Under 14s), the John Clark Trophy (Under 16s) and the Sithawalla Cup (Under 18s) before the business end of the Ablitt Cup gets underway.

Peter Hutton, chairman, SCC Rugby 7s organising committee, said: “Now into its 64th year, the SCC 7s continues to deliver high-quality 7s rugby. The teams taking part in this year’s tournament are outstanding and we’re looking forward to witnessing some high-paced action on the Padang.

2011 is obviously a big year for the sport with the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and rugby continues to grow here in Singapore. Our premier tournament certainly plays an important role in the development of rugby in Singapore and the event has now established itself as one of the top sporting events in Singapore. The infamous SCC 7s Village creates a fantastic carnival atmosphere for all and we’re looking forward to seeing plenty of Singaporeans turn up to take in all the exciting action on offer.”

The 2011 SCC 7s will take place from Friday, November 4th to Sunday, November 6th, at a purpose built festival arena at the Padang, capable of holding over 7,000 fans. In addition to the thrilling on-field action, spectators can revel in the festival atmosphere with live music, a wide array of F&B outlets, a children’s playground and the popular merchandise stall.

Tickets are on sale at www.sistic.com.sg and all SISTIC outlets, priced at $50 for three days for an adult and $25 for three days for under-18s and senior citizens.