The French city of Clermont-Ferrand will host the fifth and final round of the Women's World Rugby Sevens Series ©Wikipedia

Clermont-Ferrand will host the fifth and final round of the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series next May, it has been announced.

The French city, home of club giants Clermont Auvergne, will hold the two day event on May 28 to 29.

It will bring to an end a season that opened two weeks ago in Dubai, where Australia overcame Russia 33-12 in the final.

A stadium is yet to be confirmed, although the Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin seems likely, with tickets due to go on sale in the New Year.

"The French Rugby Federation (FFR) is very committed to the development of women's and men's sevens in France," said FFR President, Pierre Camou.

"When discussions started to host a leg in the women's series, there was no doubt the FFR had to bid.

"We wanted to build on our experience of organising other big women's rugby competitions, such as Women's Rugby World Cup 2014, which was a huge success."

The event in the French city will end a Series which began in Dubai two weeks ago ©World Rugby
The event in the French city will end a Series which began in Dubai two weeks ago ©World Rugby

The next leg of the five-pronged series will take place on February 20 and 21 in São Paulo, Brazil, before back to back events in Atlanta, United States on April 9 and 10 and in Langford, Canada on April 16 and 17. 

New Zealand won the 2014-2015 series ahead of Canada, Australia, England and the US.

This season will be especially important, however, as it will be followed by rugby sevens' debut at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio, with the early part of next year to also be taken up with Olympic qualifications tournaments. 

"This is one of the biggest years in rugby sevens' history for both the men's and women's game," said World Rugby head of competitions and performance, Mark Egan.

"With HSBC and DHL now on board as global sponsors, the women's game has reached a new level of competition and exposure ahead of Rio 2016.

"The five rounds will provide a crucial preparation platform for the teams that have already qualified for Rio and also help the teams that are preparing for the women's final Olympic repechage, which will take place in Ireland."



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