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Is the World Rugby Sevens Series set to slim down to just 12 teams per event?

Days after the English lost to the Scots in the final of the season-closing London 7s, a report from Sky Sports suggests England, Scotland and Wales will no longer compete as separate teams on the series; instead they will play as they did at the Rio Olympics, as a combined Team GB.

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One reason for the switch is to appease other nations over the Olympics-qualification format.

Via Sky Sports:

Information has been obtained which suggests the changes are being made as a result of Sevens’ involvement in the Olympics. Under current rules, the teams who finish in the top four of the Series two years ahead of the Olympics are given automatic qualification into the Games, with Team GB allowed to nominate a country to represent their qualification bid.

It is thought other nations have voiced their disapproval of the system which allows essentially three opportunities for Team GB to qualify, as well as more chances to halt the progression of rivals in the series standings.