We offer an in-depth preview of the final leg of the Women’s Sevens World Series in Amsterdam this weekend and New Zealand sit in pole position to lift the first ever title.

Pool A

New Zealand

Favourites to lift the first Women’s Sevens World Series title, New Zealand know they will be crowned champions if they reach the semi-finals this weekend–  a feat that means nobody can overtake them at the top of the standings, where they sit on 54 points.  It has been a good first year on the circuit for Sean Horan’s side and the coach has named two new faces in this squad and recalled Renee Wickliffe. They should certainly finish top of their pool, though they will be tested by Netherlands and Russia, and it would be a massive shock if they did not at least reach the final. With England leaving some of their leading players behind this weekend, the competition is certainly theirs for the taking.

Netherlands

The host nation will be desperate for a good showing on home soil after an up and down season on the circuit.  Successive Plate Final losses (to Ireland in China and to Russia in Houston) will have been disappointing for the fulltime professional Dutch side, and a top four finish this time around, or indeed a Plate win would be a big boost heading into the World Cup.  Hosting a leg of the series is a big milestone for Netherlands women’s rugby, a country with a rich history in the game (they played in the first ever women’s test match in 1982) and this current crop of stars will want to do their hosting duties justice.

Lees de rest hier: Preview: Amsterdam 7s | Scrum Queens.