What is 7s?

7s, also known as rugby sevens, is a variant of rugby union with only seven players on each team, playing on a full-sized pitch but for a shorter duration of time. The game lasts for two 7-minute halves, or 10 minutes for the championship match of a tournament. The objective in 7s is the same as rugby union, to score more points than the opposition by either touching the ball down in the opponent's in-goal area or kicking it over the crossbar between the goalposts. Unlike rugby union, in 7s, the team without possession of the ball does not get an opportunity to contest for the ball after a tackle; instead, the ball carrier must release the ball immediately and play continues. 7s is a popular sport worldwide, and some of its biggest tournaments include the World Cup, Olympics, and the World Rugby Sevens Series.