 Three more have been confirmed to compete in the World Tens Series in Bermuda 2020. The Asia Pacific Dragons, London Royals and the Miami Sun have all confirmed their participation.
Asia Pacific Dragons
Former Rugby World Cup winning Australia number 8, Toutai Kefu will coach the Dragons with Nafi Tuitavake, Osea Kolinisau, Api Naikantani and Tomasi Alosio just a few of the international players pledging their names to the Dragons squad.
Tuitavake has represented New Zealand on the sevens circuit and has played 15-a-side international rugby for Tonga. Kolinisau and Naikatani are both plying their trade in MLR with Old Glory DC and Houston SaberCats respectively. Kolinisau was also a member of the successful Fiji Olympic 7s team where they took home the gold medal in Rio 2016. Alosio has represented Samoa on the 7s circuit since 2015 and can play in the center or on the wing.
Asia Pacific Dragons Head Coach, Toutai Kefu, is excited by the challenge of coaching this team against some of the best players in the world. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to coach the Asia Pacific Dragons in the newly formed World Tens Series.”
London Royals
Created as one of eight competing teams, the London Royals have compiled a squad of players who are among the best in the world, especially in the shorter form of the game.
England 7s players Tom Mitchell, Tom Bowen and Alex Davis have already confirmed their places within the Royals squad, with more to follow. All three players have a huge amount of experience, having represented England in the World 7s Series.
Tom Mitchell has played 7s for England over the last eight years and brings a wealth of experience to the team having been England captain. Mitchell was the leading point scorer during the 2013/14 World 7s Series and picked up an Olympic silver medal for Team Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Games.
Tom Bowen featured in all of England’s 2019/20 World 7s Series legs, scoring 11 tries, having made his debut in the Gold Coast leg back in 2014. Alex Davis has been recognized for his devastating attacking play and fearless defense on the 7s pitch and will be an exceptional asset to the London team.
Miami Sun
The Miami Sun is the fifth of eight franchises to be announced, this is the second US team to be confirmed to participate following the announcement of the Ohio Aviators earlier this month and will include a squad full of some of the most exciting players from around the globe.
There is no MLR team based in the city, so the creation of the Miami Sun will allow rugby fans in the area a team to support as The Sun take on squads from across the world in Bermuda.
The Sun will be led by a world-renowned Head Coach with vast amounts of international experience. His appointment will be announced shortly.
The creation of the Miami Sun brand follows the recent launch of Inter Miami in the MLS and is the latest in a line of world established and successful Miami based sporting franchises that includes the Miami Heat and Dolphins.
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