Record Crowds Expected at Twickenham for London Sevens

Rugby fans are gearing up for a weekend packed with pulsating action as the Emirates Airline London Sevens kicks off at Twickenham.

With record crowds of 40,000 expected over the English bank holiday weekend, the England team will be looking to make the most of their home advantage in the penultimate leg of the IRB World Sevens Series.

The international tournament on May 23-24 will feature 16 teams who have flown in from all over the world to play 44 matches over two days.

With the IRB Sevens World Series nearing its climax, England lie in second place but will have a mountain to climb to overhaul the 28-point gap between themselves and series leaders South Africa.

Ben Ryan, head coach of the England team, said, “Although we are some way behind the South Africans, I feel that with home advantage, and the team being in great form, we have a really good chance of reaching the final and competing for honours.

“We thrive on the Emirates Airline London Sevens atmosphere and the roar of the Twickenham crowd will surely give us our best chance to push our rivals all the way.”

Emirates’ sponsorship of the London Sevens is an example of the airline’s support of rugby on the international stage. Emirates is also a Tournament Sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2011 and was the Principal Partner of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 held in Dubai in March.

As well as the London Sevens, the airline also sponsors three other tournaments in the annual IRB Sevens World Series - Dubai, South Africa and Edinburgh, the venue for next weekend's series finale.

In addition, Emirates is the shirt sponsor of the England and Samoa sevens teams, IRB referees and match officials, and Emirates Western Force in Australia.

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