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Paris 2024: Olympic women's rugby sevens schedule
Women’s rugby sevens at Paris 2024 kicks off on July 28th and takes place over three days at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
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Pool A is made up of defending champions New Zealand, Fiji, Canada, and China. Pool B will feature Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, and South Africa. Hosts France, Brazil, Japan, and the USA complete Pool C.
Commencing the day after the completion of the men’s competition, the action begins with Ireland facing Great Britain (15:30 local time).
The opening day of the women’s event will feature a further 11 fixtures, with New Zealand and Canada closing proceedings on Sunday evening (21:30 local time).
Great Britain will open the action once again on the second day as they face South Africa in the first match (14:00 local time).
Pressure will ramp up throughout the day as the quarter-finals are played in the evening in preparation for a blockbuster final day of sevens on July 30th. The full schedule can be found below.
Many players on the women’s circuit play both sevens and 15s, and it is likely that some of the stars of the Olympics will feature at WXV later in the year in the run-up to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
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Canada, the hosts for WXV 1 later this year, had sevens stars Olivia Apps and Fancy Bermudez in their ranks at the most recent Pacific Four Series, which they won.
The USA’s Alev Kelter, who became the first American woman to reach 1,000 points in SVNS, will represent her country at a second Olympic Games, in addition to two Rugby World Cups in 15s. The versatile back has recently signed for Premiership Women’s Rugby side Loughborough Lightning, who she will join from Saracens.
France sevens boast the dual-discipline threats of Joanna Grisez and Caroline Drouin at their home Games, both of whom have featured at 15s Rugby World Cups.
South Africa will host WXV 2 for a second year. The home side provided memorable moments in the inaugural competition, in particular, the thumping tackle made by Libbie Janse van Rensburg on Chloe Rollie which did the rounds on social media.
Come for the Scotland counter attack, stay for the monster hit 🎇
Catch all the action on Rugbypass TV https://t.co/beyUzJfhME#WXV | #SCOvRSA pic.twitter.com/4SHorcOBtN
ADVERTISEMENT— WXV (@WXVRugby) October 13, 2023
Playmaker Janse van Rensburg is representing South Africa in sevens at Paris 2024 and will likely face familiar faces from 15s such as Team GB’s Lisa Thomson, Ellie Kildunne, and Megan Jones at the Games.
WVX 3 will once again be hosted in Dubai, a popular stop on the HSBC SVNS circuit.
Last year’s WXV 3 winners Ireland will compete in WXV 1 this year after an impressive Six Nations campaign, and their Paris 2024 sevens squad features bright sparks Beibhinn Parsons and Eve Higgins who are well-versed in both 15s and sevens.
Fiji’s Sesenieli Donu, who suffered a severe knee injury at Rugby World Cup 2022, will compete at her second Olympic Games following a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Teammates Ilisapeci Delaiwau, Lavena Cavuru, Raijieli Daveua, Kolora Lomani, Alowesi Nakoci, Ana Maria Naimasi, and Ilisapeci Delaiwau were also among those who brought sevens flair to the 15s RWC in 2022 and will feature at the 2024 Olympic Games. Fiji will compete in WXV 3 for a second year, and have qualified for England 2025.
New Zealand Women’s co-captain Sarah Hirini said ahead of the Games: “I’m really happy to be back and at another pinnacle event. It is so special and it feels just like the first time with the energy and excitement around the Olympic Village and within our team.
“We’re going to try and do something that’s never been done before, trying to create history while enjoying the moment. I’m really proud that we will be playing in front of huge crowds, that’s the most important thing that we can achieve as a sport for the sevens. I was here for the men’s World Cup last year and being in that packed stadium is going to be electric.”
USA Women’s co-captain Naya Taper said: “Having so many fans in the stadium is both exciting and somehow scary, at least for me. Tokyo 2020 was great but we didn’t have the fans in the stands cheering or booing for us so I’m getting ready for that stimulation. We have been preparing and are definitely looking forward to begin.
“We are very happy with what we have been able to achieve last season but we know the past is the past and the present is the present. We are coming here with the learning and the confidence we gained from last season, bringing it to this tournament.
“Bearing in mind we won’t be the only one and nobody will give us an easy game but we are coming out here to make our friends and family proud and get on that podium with a gold medal, not a silver, not a bronze, but a gold medal.
“It is really inspiring to be playing on such a big platform. It relates to our philosophy that women can be a source of inspiration for anyone watching, young boys and young girls, fans and new publics, being somebody they want to follow behind and strive to be like and trying to be a role model on and off the field.”
Paris 2024 women’s rugby sevens schedule – all times CEST
Sunday 28th July
15:30 Ireland vs Great Britain
16:00 Australia vs South Africa
16:30 USA vs Japan
17:00 France vs Brazil
17:30 Fiji vs Canada
18:00 New Zealand vs China
19:00 Ireland vs South Africa
19:30 Australia vs Great Britain
20:00 USA vs Brazil
20:30 France vs Japan
21:00 Fiji vs China
21:30 New Zealand vs Canada
Monday 29th July
14:00 Great Britain vs South Africa
14:30 Australia vs Ireland
15:00 Japan vs Brazil
15:30 France vs USA
16:00 Canada vs China
16:30 New Zealand vs Fiji
20:00 Placing 9-12
20:30 Placing 9-12
21:00 Quarter-Final
21:30 Quarter-Final
22:00 Quarter-Final
22:30 Quarter-Final
Tuesday 30th July
14:30 Fifth Place Semi-Final
15:00 Fifth Place Semi-Final
15:30 Medal Semi-Final
16:00 Medal Semi-Final
16:30 11th Place Play-Off
17:00 Ninth Place Play-Off
18:00 Seventh Place Play-Off
18:30 Fifth Place Play-Off
19:00 Bronze Final
19:45 Gold Final
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