Ultimate Sevens unveils stacked coaching lineup ahead of inaugural season

The 2026 Ultimate Sevens coaching staff for the six franchises have been unveiled, ahead of the tournament getting underway in September.

News has been coming thick and fast for the new sevens tournament, with 16 marquee players and a four round European schedule confirmed earlier this month, with Madrid, Cardiff, Biarritz and London set to host events.

This also came with the announcement of the six franchises – Albion Athletic, Atlantic Novas, Clan Taran, Foudre Bleue, Pacific Current and Sol Feroz – each of whom are set to feature both men’s and women’s teams across the four weekends.

Now, the Ultimate Sevens has confirmed the six coaches who will lead each respective franchise, with the net cast far and wide across the highest levels of sevens and XVs rugby.

Australian coach Shannon Fraser has been confirmed as head coach of Albion Athletic, being recognised for his work with the Aussie Men’s 7s program, the NSW Waratahs, and more recently, the Australian U20s.

Having also served as an assistant coach for Fiji at the Rugby World Cup in 2007 and 2011, he also coached the Australian U18s to victory over New Zealand Schools in 2024.

Rugby World Cup winner Kelly Brazier has been confirmed as head coach of Atlantic Nova, having excelled for New Zealand in both formats of rugby.

In addition to earning 44 caps for the Black Ferns and winning two World Cups in 2010 and 2017, Brazier also has excelled in sevens, having won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics and gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Having been in coaching for the last three years, Brazier has since served as an assistant coach for Chiefs Manawa in Super Rugby Aupiki, as well as being confirmed for the Black Ferns XV coaching group when their campaign gets underway in 2026.

Heavily decorated Blitzbok Philip Snyman has been confirmed as head coach of Clan Taran, having won three World Series titles, an Olympic bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a Commonwealth Games gold medal as a player.

Having since moved into coaching, Snyman has dominated the HSBC SVNS Series since becoming head coach on the South African men’s team, winning back-to-back HSBC SVNS World Championships, as well as bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Spanish dual international María Ribera will lead Foudre Bleue, becoming one of the most significant coaching figures in Spanish rugby since moving into coaching.

Having earned 176 caps for the Spain 7s and 27 caps for the XVs, including featuring at two Rugby World Cups, she has won consecutive European silver medals in 2022 and 2023, and has been head coach of Las Leonas 7s since 2024.In a major grab for Pacific Current, New Zealand M?ori star Crystal Kaua has been appointed their head coach, having coached across New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Japan and Brazil.

Helping Chiefs Manawa win the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki title, as head coach, she brought the side to two further finals, before guiding the Brazil women’s sevens team to the São Paulo SVNS 2 title and qualification for the SVNS World Championship.

Finally, Spain’s men’s sevens had coach Paco Hernández will complete the set up for Sol Feroz, fresh off his involvement with the Bengaluru Bravehearts in the 2026 Premier League League.

Leading the side to their first SVNS Series final in Dubai in 2024, Hernandez guided Spain to the 2025 SVNS World Championship final in Los Angeles, finishing the 2026 series in bronze, establishing Spain as one of the most exciting sevens teams to watch.

The 2026 Ultimate Sevens Championship is set to get underway on 5th September, with the opening round in Madrid.

2026 Ultimate Sevens Championship schedule:

Saturday 5th September 2026

• Estadio Ontime Butarque, Leganés, Madrid, Spain

Saturday 12th September 2026

• Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales

Friday 18th September 2026

• Parc des Sports Aguilera, Biarritz, France

Thursday 24th September 2026

• Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford, London, UK