Maddison Levi, Tristan Leyds among marquee Ultimate Sevens stars

The inaugural season of Ultimate Sevens has seen the first player draft get underway, with 17 nations and 131 players across the men’s and women’s teams set to be allocated.

The competition is set for a bumper inaugural season, with fixtures set to take place across four back-to-back weeks in Spain, Wales, France and England in September and head coaches already confirmed.

Each of the six sides are set to feature up to 12 players in both their men’s and women’s squads, comprising two marquee players, nine elite players and one academy player.

The picks will work across five rounds this week, the clubs selecting two players each for their male and female squads.

Marquee players have already been confirmed, with the full squads set to be finalised at the end of this week.

True to its name, Pacific Current has landed several key Fijian and Australian stars, with Maddison Levi and Reapi Ulunisau named as the female marquee players, while Henry Hutchison and Terio Veilawa selected for the men’s side.

Spanish star Manu Monero and Argentine Luciano González have been confirmed for the men’s side Sol Feroz, with two-time Olympian Thalia Costa and young Spanish playmaker Jimena Blanco-Hortiguena leading the women’s side, being part of the outfit that recently was promoted to the SVNS Series.

Atlantic Novas will see several USA and Canadian stars selected, with Eagles and Olympic duo Lucas Lacamp and Stephen Tomasin, while Canadian and 2024 Olympic silver medalist Krissy Scurfield will be joined by 2026 SVNS Champion Faith Nathan in the women’s side.

Albion Athletic have landed two big key marquee stars in Abbie Brown and Isabella Nasser, the latter of whom was included in the SVNS Dream Team of the Year, while Men’s SVNS Player of the Year Tristan Leyds will be joined by Great Britain captain Charlton Kerr, completing an impressive line-up.

Clan Taran will feature a heavy Southern Hemisphere influence, with New Zealand duo Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Roderick Solo being joined by Aussie Heidi Dennis and Blitzbok Shilton van Wyk, respectively.

Finally, Foudre Bleue will see a full contingent of French players, with Paris gold medalist Antoine Zeghdar joined by teammate Paulin Riva in the men’s side, while XVs convert Valentine Lothoz will be joined by Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carla Neisen.

The 2026 Ultimate Sevens draft will be completed this week, with all sides set to confirm their remaining nine elite players and one academy player ahead of the tournament getting underway in September.