New Zealand will face a tough challenge as they seek to remain top of the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series standings after the next round in the United States.
Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia, plays host to the third round of the 2014-15 series, with the action taking place on 14 and 15 March in the southern state.
Reigning champions New Zealand are drawn in Pool A alongside hosts USA, Russia and South Africa.
Australia will face a confident France side in Pool B along with Fiji and Spain while Canada, who lie in third place in the standings, will play England, Brazil and China in Pool C.
Fixture list:
| Time |
Match |
| 12.00 | Australia v Fiji |
| 12.22 | France v Spain |
| 12.44 | Canada v Brazil |
| 13.06 | England v China |
| 13.28 | New Zealand v Russia |
| 13.50 | USA v South Africa |
| 14.44 | Australia v Spain |
| 15.06 | France v Fiji |
| 15.28 | Canada v China |
| 15.50 | England v Brazil |
| 16.12 | New Zealand v South Africa |
| 16.34 | USA v Russia |
| 17.28 | Australia v France |
| 17.50 | Fiji v Spain |
| 18.12 | Canada v England |
| 18.34 | Brazil v China |
| 18.56 | New Zealand v USA |
| 19.18 | Russia v South Africa |
Action from the third round of the series kicks off in Atlanta on 14 March at midday (GMT -5) when Australia take on Fiji. Matches will be streamed live on worldrugby.org. However, geo-blocking may apply in certain regions. Fans are urged to check with their local broadcasters or check here for more details.
With qualification for the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 on offer for the top four teams at the end of the series, competition for places is becoming more intense.
USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville believes fans are in for a treat in the Peach State: “We are excited to be hosting the third leg of the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Atlanta. Fifth Third Bank Stadium, in Kennesaw State University, was a great venue for last year’s tournament and this year we have the additional excitement of the teams competing for a place in the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. There is no doubt that the teams have continued to improve and this year the quality of the competition is higher than ever before. This will be a wonderful exhibition of international women’s sevens rugby.”
Tickets for the third round of the series in Atlanta are on sale now and can be purchased here
Standings after two rounds (Dubai and Brazil), with four left to play (USA, Canada, England, Netherlands):
| Position | Team | Points |
| 1 | New Zealand | 40 |
| 2 | Australia | 36 |
| 3 | Canada | 32 |
| 4 | France | 28 |
| 5 | England | 24 |
| 6 | USA | 18 |
| 7 | Russia | 14 |
| 8 | Fiji | 14 |
| 9 | Brazil | 10 |
| 10 | Spain | 5 |
| 11 | South Africa | 4 |
| 12 | China | 3 |
