The World Rugby Sevens Series 2021 calendar continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with events in Hong Kong and Paris both now cancelled.
The Hong Kong Sevens will not take place from November 5 to 7 as had been hoped, with World Rugby citing the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic, including travel restrictions.
Hong Kong will operate even stricter border entry and quarantine requirements for international visitors from next Monday (August 9).
It has pursued a so-called zero COVID approach, and is introducing the measures as the Delta variant spreads across the south-east of Asia.
The Hong Kong Sevens event was also axed last year, while it had already been delayed from April to November this year.
A edition is now not on the calendar until April 1 to 3 in 2022, when the new season is underway.
The Paris Sevens women’s event has also been cancelled for 2021.
This tournament was due to take place in Marcoussis in May, but was postponed until October, and has now been cancelled.
World Rugby said “the health and welfare of players, teams and all involved remains the top priority.”
The World Rugby Sevens Series 2021 begins on 18 and 19 September at BC Place in Vancouver, featuring a men’s event and women’s fast-four tournament, followed by another event in Canada at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton the following weekend.
The 2021 circuit will now feature five men’s rounds and just two women’s rounds.
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