US Premier Rugby Sevens expands to 16 men’s and women’s teams

Domestic competition assigns state and regional team names in attempt to increase fan engagement

In 15-a-side rugby, the men's US Eagles recently failed to reach the World Cup. But American sevens seems in contrasting health. On the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, the men's and women's national teams are on track to qualify for the next Olympics, in Paris.

At home, Premier Rugby Sevens, a professional competition seeking to establish itself on the sporting map, says it is also well placed to progress. On Tuesday, it announced it will double (to 16) the number of men's and women's teams competing next year, its third, teams for the first time named for states and regions.