The 2016 Exeter Sevens was the second tournament of the 2016 Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series, held over the weekend of 9–10 July 2016 at Sandy Park in Exeter, England. It was the sixth edition of the Sevens Grand Prix Series.
Background
In preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the tournament featured two unified Great Britain teams (Great Britain Royals and Great Britain Lions) instead of the separate national teams of England, Scotland, and Wales. A total of 12 teams participated.
Pool Stage
Pool A was won by Spain (3 wins, 0 losses), followed by Russia, Georgia, and Lithuania.
Pool B was won by Great Britain Royals (3 wins, 0 losses), followed by France, Poland, and Portugal.
Pool C was won by Great Britain Lions (3 wins, 0 losses), followed by Italy, Germany, and Belgium.
Knockout Stage
Cup (Main Competition)
- Champion: Great Britain Royals (defeated France 33–17 in the final)
- Third place: Spain (defeated Russia 17–7)
- Runner-up: France
Plate
- Winner: Great Britain Lions (defeated Germany 31–0 in the final)
- Runner-up: Germany
Bowl
- Winner: Portugal (defeated Belgium 35–5 in the final)
- Runner-up: Belgium
Significance
The tournament served as a key preparation event for the Great Britain rugby sevens squad ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics, where rugby sevens made its Olympic debut. The Great Britain Royals' victory at Exeter marked a strong performance by the combined British squad.
