Monaco’s national rugby sevens team has won the Winter Sevens tournament in Blagnac, defeating Catalan side Seven Gats 12-0 in the final to claim the title for the first time in four attempts.

The reigning European Conference 1 champions made a dominant start to the tournament, winning all three pool matches to top their group and advance directly to the final. A 36-22 victory over Squadra Corsa opened proceedings, followed by another 36-22 win against QSFSP, before Monaco rounded off the pool stage with a commanding 63-7 demolition of the Brumbizz.

The final against Seven Gats proved a tighter, more tactical affair, but the side coached by David Bolgashvili and Nicolas Bonnet kept a clean sheet throughout, controlling the match to run out 12-0 winners without conceding a single try.

It is a result that reflects the growing strength of a squad that has been building steadily, having claimed the European Conference 1 title last summer. The next target is the Monaco Sevens tournament on 1st May at the Stade Prince Héréditaire Jacques in Beausoleil.

A strong month for Monaco rugby

The Blagnac victory caps a productive February for the Monegasque Rugby Federation. Earlier this month, the U14, U16 and U18 sides all represented the Principality at the Juniors 7s international tournament in Lisbon on 14th and 15th February.

The U18s, reigning European champions, finished fifth overall with five wins from six matches. The U16s recovered from a difficult pool stage to reach the Plate final, where they fell narrowly to Ukraine 21-10. The U14s finished third in the Plate, improving visibly across their matches throughout the competition.

The Federation described the Lisbon tournament as an important step in the development of Monaco’s young rugby players — and on the back of a first Winter Sevens title, the future of the sport in the Principality is looking increasingly bright.