Tom gives Tens a go to get fit for Tokyo

ENGLAND Sevens star Tom Mitchell aims to grab a rugby lifeline next month as part of a trailblazing World Tens Series slated to take place in Bermuda.

- NEALE HARVEY

Mitchell, an eight-year England Sevens veteran before the RFU scrapped their programme in August, will be a leading light for the privately-owned London Royals as part of an eight-team tournament that will include sides from USA, Asia and South Africa.

The inaugural three-event competition will run from October 24 to November 7, during which players will be contained within a Covid-19 secure bubble, with plans thereafter to expand to 16 sides playing in 12 high-profile locations throughout 2021.

World Tens operations officer Paul Holmes believes the shorter format can “do to rugby what T20 has done for cricket”, and Mitchell, who will be joined by England 7s colleagues Tom Bowen, Alex Davis and Richard de Carpentier, is pleased to be on board.

He told