The Tropical 7s kicks off this weekend.
As was the case last year, this tournament has a significant international flair; in additional to the many teams from the USA and Canada, this year the Jamaica Junior Cros, Trinidad & Tobago Moka Lions, Cayman Rugby, and Future Elite Sports from England are all competing.
The schedule runs all day Friday, March 29 and Saturday March 30.
Here's a look at some teams to watch:
Boys U18 Elite. This is a 16-team bracket and includes the two-time NAI 7s winners and hard-luck semifinalists at Tropical 7s in 2023, Rebel Rugby Academy. Also suiting u is Next Phase Rugby, which made the final of the NAI 7s in their first outing and look solid again this time around.
Atlantis, Jamaica's National U18 side, and Tsunami Misfits are also teams to worry about.
Girls U18 Elite. Ten teams play in this bracket in two pools of five. The Rugby Advantage is a major favorite but Atlantis, USA South Panther Academy, Majestic, and Hawkeye are all very strong and really we haven't listed all of them.
U18 Boys Open. Trinidad & Tobago will be an interesting addition to this, but Tsunami, USA West, and especially Panther Rugby Academy could do very well.
U18 Girls Open. This bracket is wide open but we think maybe the Canadians such as Upright and Tsunami will cause problems. Panther Rugby Academy is a favorite here, and maybe a dark horse could break through.
U23 Men's Elite. The Saratoga Jockeys won the Bermuda 7s and they come to Florida, too. Watch out. USA South Panther Academy once more, as well as Upright and Tsunami from Canada, could win this.
U23 Women's Elite. What a wild bracket. Dartmouth, Tsunami, Brown, Trinity Western, Army West Point, Penn State, Queens, and Clemson round out this bracket and we can't pick one.
