SVNS watch: Olympic gold medallist set for France debut against Wallabies

The opening night of the inaugural Nations Championship headlined a busy weekend on the international rugby calendar – one where plenty of sevens stars shone in the longer format of the game.

From the World Championship in Georgia to the Nations Cup and even down to community rugby, Sevens stars showing their skills in the longer format of the game across the world.

RugbyPass breaks down several key tournaments where sevens stars are currently delivering big results, and who you should keep an eye out for across the next few weeks.

U20s World Championship

New Zealand have cruised into the semi finals of the U20s World Championship with a 45-15 victory over Italy, thanks in no small part to the injection of Kele Lasaqa on the wing and Bradley Tocker at blindside flanker, with Tocker getting his second try of the tournament.

The side is set to face France in the semi final, with South Africa, featuring Blitzbok Luan Giliomee, will face England in the other match of the semis.

Australia just missed out on finishing in the top four, going down in a 34-29 thriller to France, thanks in no small part due to a strong effort from Wallace Charlie, who picked up a try early in the second half.

The side will look to finish the tournament in fifth when they play Argentina in their final clash, with Charlie likely expected to feature at fullback.

World Rugby Nations Championship

The weekend of the inaugural Nations Championship tournament saw two sevens stars impress for Japan, as the side produced an eye-catching performance in Tokyo to defeat Italy 27-10.

Paris Olympics alumni Kippei Ishida and Kazuma Ueda featured in the Brave Blossoms back three, with both wingers frustrating and helping shut down the Italian backline.

Ueda has retained his spot for this weekend’s clash against Ireland in Newcastle, and will have a big job on his hands as the Japanese look to beat Andy Farrell’s side for the first time since 2019.

A Paris Olympics gold medalist is also set to take the field in Brisbane, with Pau winger Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang set to make his debut for France against the Wallabies.

A highly regarded alumni of the French sevens side, he scored 11 tries at the 2023 Hong Kong Sevens, and has been knocking on the door for a debut cap ever since his inclusion in the 2025 Autumn Nations Series.

Having also witnessed France’s win at the Bordeaux SVNS earlier this year, he also still has a close connection to the shorter format.

World Rugby Nations Cup

Uruguay got their Nations Cup campaign underway with a 41-34 loss to Georgia in Montevideo, utilising three sevens stars in Joaquín Suárez, Juan Gonzalez and Ignacio Rodriguez Bosch.

Despite the loss, Gonzalez and Rodriguez Bosch managed to get on the scoresheet for the hosts, and are likely set to feature again when they host Romania this weekend.

Tongan sevens alumni Sonatane Takulua took the field as captain for his nation, the ?Ikale Tahi going on to defeat Zimbabwe 36-26 to get their campaign underway.

The side is set to travel to Edmonton to take on Spain, who themselves welcomed the services of sevens alumni Iñaki Mateu in their thrilling 42-all draw with hosts Canada last weekend.

Los Leones are still to utilise the skillset of sevens superstar Jeremy Trevithick, who was named in the 2025-26 SVNS Team of the Season. However, with fixtures against Tonga and the United States coming up, the 24-year-old is likely to earn his debut 15s cap in the coming weeks.

Lastly, USA Eagles sevens alumni Lance Williams is also expected to be in the mix for selection against Zimbabwe in round two, after the hosts scraped over the line against Portugal, 30-29.

Having plied his trade at the California Legion in Major League Rugby, Williams went on to make the 2026 final where his side went down to the Chicago Hounds. Having impressed at flanker, he will likely be knocking on the door for his debut cap this month.

Australian club rugby

Finishing off in Australia, several key stars are using the off season to pick up time at premier grade club level, with members of the Australian sevens squad playing in the Blue Crane Capital Shute Shield in Sydney and the Sumo Hospital Cup in Brisbane.

Kicking off round 13 in Sydney, Aussie 7s star James McGregor has slotted into fullback in a stacked Sydney University side that includes Wallabies Matt Philip and Folau Fainga’a, with the team looking to climb into the top four when they take on the Hunter Wildfires at home.

Sevens alumni and star of the Waratahs and the First Nations & Pasifika side Triston Reilly will play for Randwick at fullback, as the Galloping Greens host a high-flying Gordon outfit at Coogee Oval.

Lastly, up in Brisbane, sevens stalwart Ethan McFarland is set to wear the outside centre jersey for University of Queensland, as they prepare for a difficult clash against top three side Wests Bulldogs in round 14.