Canadian men's Rugby Sevens Series future on line at relegation playoff in London

The Canadian men made their HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut in 1999-2000 and this weekend's season-closing tournament in London marks their 190th on the circuit.

It could also be their last for quite a while.

Canada is fighting for its World Series future, embroiled in a relegation playoff with Kenya, Tonga and Uruguay with only one retaining its status as a core team next season.

That's because the World Series is reducing the number of men's teams to 12 from 16 next season to align with the women's competition and the Olympic field.

The playoff winner will become the 12th core team on the 2024 Series, while the other three teams will have to enter their respective regional sevens championships in order to qualify for the 2024 Challenger Series and climb their way back to the elite competition.

While the stakes are high, the Canadian team is focusing on the immediate challenge.

"We're really not trying to look forward past this weekend. We'll count the chips wherever they land, at the end of the weekend," said Canada interim coach Sean White. "As far as we're concerned, we've got three games this weekend to take care of. And if we can handle our business, we'll have a fourth [the playoff final]."

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Missing out on the World Series would be catastrophic, vastly increasing the degree of difficulty of qualifying for the Olympics. It would also make the sevens squad a less desirable landing spot for athletes at a time when Rugby Canada has facilitated players moving between the sevens and 15s game to increase its depth and provide more game opportunities.

The plus for the Canadian men is they arrive at Twickenham on a high from finishing a season-best fourth in Toulouse.

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