SVNS Watch: The sevens stars chasing silverware in NPC playoffs

The world of sevens rugby now starts to head towards the 2026-27 HSBC SVNS Series preparations, with competitions around the world seeing players wrap up the XVs commitments, or get critical time on the park ahead of heading into camp.

With Super Rugby AUS wrapped up and the National Provincial Championship in finals now in New Zealand, by contrast, the Northern Hemisphere sees sevens players in abundance across competitions in the United Kingdom and France.

RugbyPass gives a lowdown on the action this weekend in the world of sevens, and key players set to make a splash.

National Provincial Championship

The Hilux NPC has hit the quarterfinals, with eight teams left to compete for the top prize, and sevens stars are set to inject themselves immediately from the first clash in Whangarei.

Northland will welcome Rob Rush and Brady Rush into the starting sides at flanker and left wing respectively to take on Tasman, with the visitors injecting Maloni Kunawave at fullback and former Tongan sevens star Kyren Taumoefolau on the right wing.

Sam Clarke and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens have held onto their positions of flyhalf and fullback respectively for Taranaki as they travel to North Harbour Stadium on Saturday, with the hosts employing Sofai Notoa-Tipo off the bench.

Wallaby and sevens star Darby Lancaster will also retain his starting spot for the Magpies on the wing, employing his good form as he heads to face Otago this week in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon; with Samoan sevens alumni Neria Fomai coming off the bench.

The men from New Zealand’s south, meanwhile, will look to employ sevens alumni Jona Nareki at outside centre, unleashing several Highlanders Super Rugby players and the likes of Tongan international Patrick Pellegrini from the bench.

The final clash in Christchurch between Canterbury and Waikato will see All Blacks Sevens veteran Andrew Knewstubb implemented off the bench for the hosts, while the visitors have unveiled alumni Tepaea Cook-Savage on the left wing to try and get the Waikato region their first title since 2021.

PREM Rugby

The third week of PREM Rugby is set to kick off this weekend in England, with over 15 current and former stars plying their trade across the 2026-27 seasons.

Kicking off at Welford Road, the Tigers will be looking to secure their second win of the season, implementing England sevens alumni Ollie Hassell-Collins off the bench in last week’s win over Newcastle.

Northampton will be implementing Tommy Freeman, the exciting back three option having plyed his trade in sevens development programs before landing at the Saints, scoring a hattrick in his side’s season opener against Newcastle.

Over in Barton-upon-Irwill, Sale Sharks will be looking for their second win of the season, boasting the likes of two Fijian dual internationals in Ponepati Loganimasi and Elia Canakaivata, who were implemented off the bench last week in their victory over Saracens.

Lastly, at Sandy Park in Exeter, the Newcastle Red Bulls will be chasing their first win over the season against Exeter Chiefs, with alumni Christian Wade impressing on the right wing while Pumas 7s star Simón Benítez Cruz and GB 7s alumni Zack Henry showed great promise off the bench.

Top 14

The Top 14 is heading into round six this weekend, and is set for a colossal week of action with over 40 sevens players signed up across the 14 sides.

Among the key names set to be included across a busy weekend of action, Bayonne will travel to face the top of the table Toulouse, naming Argentine dual international Mateo Carreras and Fijian Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Sireli Maqala in the backline.

They will come up against a Toulouse side who, despite missing the likes of Antoine Dupont, Nelson Épée and Pierre-Louis Barassi over the opening weekends, is still sitting at the top of the table with those key players set to return.

Second-placed Pau will welcome Castres to the south of France this weekend, naming French 2024 Olympic gold medalist Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang on the left wing.

They will be up against a Castres side with plenty of sevens experience in their starting outfit for former All Blacks star Jack Goodhue partnering with Fijian Vilimoni Botitu in the centres, while former Scottish sevens star Hamish Watson will start at number eight.

Lastly, Bordeaux Begles will also be staying in the hunt when they travel to take on Clermont, naming Fijian international and New Zealand sevens star Salesi Rayasi on the left wing for the clash.

However, the hosts will have a former All Blacks sevens star in their ranks, with Etene Nanai-Seturo starting on the right wing as Clermont look to climb into the top half of the table.