Greenyards event still a highlight but changes could be on the way
The Monaco Impi’s from France are back in the Borders today to defend their crown, but they know they will face stiff competition during the 141st playing of the famous Melrose Sevens tournament.
In an ever-changing rugby and sporting landscape in Scotland, the challenge for The Greenyards event is to stay as relevant as ever.
The second Saturday in April used to be ringfenced off, but due to fixture congestion there is a Scottish Cup quarter-final and a Scottish Cup semi-final taking place today, while Edinburgh Rugby are playing in South Africa and Scotland Women are playing England in Edinburgh.
Nevertheless, people will still be flocking to Melrose in their thousands while the event is being streamed on the Melrose Sevens Youtube channel and shown on BBC Sport from the quarter-finals onwards, and there is still an aura about the day.
Last year the Monaco Impi’s caused a shock by defeating fellow guest side Samurai in the final and the former are back and start in round one against Glasgow Accies.
There are 24-teams taking part, with 14 Scottish club sides in the shape of Melrose, Hawick, Currie Chieftains, Gala, Peebles, Jed-forest, Kelso, Watsonians, Boroughmuir, Heriot’s Blues, Selkirk, Edinburgh Accies, Stirling County and Glasgow Accies.
The Impi’s are among ten guest sides, alongside Shogun Rugby, the British Army, Assassins7s,durhamuniversity, Hearts and Balls, South
Barbarians, Eric Liddell 100s, Lions Rugby 7s and OG 7s.
There is also a smaller women’s event taking place.
Tournament director Phil Morris said: “We are thrilled with the make-up of the 1883 Centenary Cup [men] and the Mike Bleasdale Cup [women] tournaments at this year’s Melrose Sevens.
“There is a line-up of exciting matches and this is where rugby sevens started and we are very lucky to have that heritage and still be able to keep this tournament relevant in the modern era.
“I know in the men’s event Monaco are very keen to defend their title, but they are expecting some really strong challenges and the Shogun Rugby squad looks strong.
“The women’s tournament has been expanded and we are looking forward to seeing that continue to grow and grow. Overall, we just hope that the sun shines and that everyone can enjoy an excellent day of sevens.”
The inclusion of so many guest sides of a high calibre in the men’s competition puts some local rugby supporters off - and Morris admits that the format may change from next year onwards.
“We have talked about a potentially split event,” he stated. “No decisions have been made as yet, but there are discussions going on within the club to see whether we should perhaps have a traditional men’s tournament with some invited guests who are more amateur in status and then a separate more semi-professional event. We will look at that straight after this year’s event and see if it is the right format for 2025 and beyond.”
The action starts at 11.04am. The men’s final is at 7pm.