Sevens Rugby

England rugby sevens captain Tom Mitchell believes the odds are in his side's favour as they bid to dethrone the All Blacks and claim their first Commonwealth gold.

Rugby sevens has flourished in recent years, since its humble beginnings at Melrose Rugby Football Club in 1883.

News in the Sevens world over the past week has been dominated by the announcements of squads ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth games later this month. Particular attention has been paid to the surprise inclusion of Luke Treharne in the Wales squad.

With the Commonwealth sevens tournament set to kick off at the end of this month England Head Coach Simon Amor has named his squad to travel to Glasgow.

With a worldwide summer of sevens now coming to an end and the beginning of the Aviva Premiership already only just around the corner, Talking Rugby Union wanted to bring you a series of flashback photo galaries to whet your rugbying appetites before the new season.

As part of an England 7s squad that tours the world playing in some of sport’s greatest cathedrals, Tom Mitchell and Phil Burgess have played in front of some impressive crowds.

Luke Treharne will make his international Sevens debut for Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after being named in head coach Gareth Williams' 12-man squad.

American winger Carlin Isles has left Glasgow to focus on his international sevens career

As sevens fever continues to sweep the nation the latest stop on a summer calendar packed with rugby was in the north of England at one of the region’s premier tournaments – the Chester 7s.

On one weekend in June every summer one of Lancashire’s premier sevens festivals takes place in Tarleton, near Preston – the Skofic 7s.

The 2014 Bournemouth 7s Festival marked its 7th birthday in style by producing undoubtedly its best event to date.

Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands Women’s 7s team have become the first of their kind to be awarded full professional status.

North Dorset 7s is one of the newest tournaments to appear on the summer circuit. After a very successful first year in 2013, it is back once again and is set to be bigger and better!

London Scottish skipper Mark Bright's outstanding season and remarkable try scoring exploits have been rewarded further this week after the number eight was called up to the England Sevens squad ahead of this summer's Commonwealth Games.

Samurai were crowned 2014 GB7s champions, edging out Scottish Thistles by just three points at the end of a scintillating series.

England star Chris Cracknell captained England IPF to victory in the second leg of the prestigious GB7s series in Edinburgh.

American speedster Carlin Isles put in a scorching display to help reigning champions Samurai take the opening round honours in this year’s GB7s series at Allianz Park.

As the domestic rugby season reaches its conclusion, with the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup finals still to come, sevens tournaments are taking place across the country – Hear from England Sevens’ Callum Wilson and Sam Edgerley.

Leading rugby brand Canterbury has today unveiled its brand new kit range for the RAF Spitfires Rugby 7s. The team, which is made up of serving RAF personnel, take their name from the iconic Royal Air Force Spitfire aircraft used in World War II, will be seen in the new kit for the first time at the Bournemouth 7s Festival later this month.

Samurai sevens took the spoils from the inaugural City of Manchester Sevens festival, with an undefeated record, beating the Akuma Exiles 26-0 in the elite final to become the tournament’s first ever champions.