THE Swindon Sevens tournament gets underway tomorrow at Greenbridge Road.

Swindon Rugby Club are hosting the event which will see 12 top seven-a-side teams competing for one of the three prizes on offer - the Vase, the Plate and the Cup, with the cup winners will also claim £1,000.

Although only in its third year, the success of the tournament over the past two years has meant that Swindon have been able to attract some outstanding teams this summer.

Last year’s champions Ponty Butchers (featuring players from Welsh Premiership clubs Neath & Swansea) are returning to defend their title against familiar faces from last year and some new teams, all of whom are regulars on the national seven-a-side circuit.

As well as the Butchers, the tournament will also have Black Sheep (Bournemouth Sevens winners), Public School Wanderers (former Hong Kong Sevens finalists), Welsh Charitables (Welsh Rugby Union development team), Takapuna Turtles (winners of 2015 Bournemouth Cider Cup and featuring players from National League side Taunton Titans), UR7’s Senior Academy (British Olympic team hopefuls), as well as the Swindon’s Silverbacks7s, many of whom play for the club’s first XV.

Former Miss Swindon, Hannah Golding, will be in attendance to present the prizes to the winners of the event.

It promises to be a highly entertaining day of top class sevens rugby, and Swindon RFC chairman Kevin Bishop is looking forward to it. He said:“The 2014 competition was a fantastic day of rugby enjoyed by all the teams, and hundreds of spectators were treated to some spectacular sport showcasing all that is good in sevens. “I am delighted to see the festival held again this year and what will be a thrilling day of rugby Sevens with fun for all the family thrown in.

“The 2015 competition has attracted some of the best sevens team in the country, and will provide tremendous entertainment. “For a community rugby club to put together such a strong competition is a fantastic achievement.”

Apart from the prospect of an exciting day of rugby, Bishop is pleased for two other reasons.

He added: “Hosting a strong sevens tournament supports the club’s objective of allowing anybody to experience rugby - it expands the clubs activities beyond the traditional focus on the 15-a-side game.”

Teams taking part: Apache Raiders, Ponty Butchers, Public School Wanderers, Cobras, Silverback7s, Southern Stingrays, UR7s, Black Sheep, Takapuna Turtles, Smashy Bears, Odd Socks, Welsh Charitables.