World Rugby has confirmed a sixth round on the 2016-17 HSBC Women’s Sevens Series. Las Vegas will play host at Sam Boyd Stadium concurrently with the men’s bracket set to kick off on March 3, 2017. Originally revealed by DJ Coil Rugby in October, the confirmation comes just prior to the kickoff of the new Sevens season that gets underway in Dubai this coming weekend.

It’s a welcome return to six official stops on the calendar, up one from five in the 2015-16 season. The women’s circuit was bizarrely downgraded from six to four following the 2014-15 season, with a fifth stop in Clermont-Ferrand a last minute addition to boost it to five.

With the Olympic Sevens proving a major success on the field and providing a massive increase in exposure, it was initially a disappointment to learn that the 2016-17 season would again be comprised of only five stops. In aligning the Las Vegas tournament with the men it is hoped that the women’s bracket will see greater attention with an eye towards possible full integration in the 10-stop circuit currently employed on the HSBC Men’s Sevens Series.

2016-17 HSBC WOMEN’S SEVENS SERIES

Dec 1-2 – Dubai, UAE

Feb 3-4 – Sydney, AUS

Mar 3-5 – Las Vegas, USA

Apr 22-23 – Kitakyushu, JPN

May 27-28 – Langford, CAN

Jun 24-25 – Clermont-Ferrand, FRA