Rugby Sevens match to last longer than 24 hours as ex-England forward in world record attempt

Ex-England rugby star George Kruis is among the 48 people attempting to set an ambitious world record all in the name of charity.

Starting on Friday, players will attempt more than 24 hours of continuous sevens rugby to raise awareness and funds for the charity Looseheadz.

Getty

The challenge takes place at Sandbach RUFC in Cheshire – with the whistle blowing at midday and not stopping until after 12pm on Saturday.

Two games of sevens will run simultaneously – one men’s and one women’s.

The goal is to beat the current Guinness World Record that stands at 24 hours and 30 minutes.

This was set in 2017 in a men’s challenge and there is currently no record for women.

Each game will feature two teams of up to 12 players, using rolling substitutions to keep the action going throughout the entire attempt – meaning 48 people in total are taking part in the challenge. 

Every match will follow official 7s rugby laws, ensuring the challenge remains a legitimate competitive contest.

Who will be playing?

Former British & Irish Lion, and 45 Test England lock, Kruis will be there to support the event.

Kruis won three European titles and four Premiership trophies in 185 appearances for Saracens.

This led to him featuring on the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017.

The 36-year-old retired in 2022 to focus on his business career and is co-founder of the health and wellness brand fourfive.

Ollie Philips, ex-England Rugby Sevens Captain and World Sevens Player of the Year, will be joining the men’s teams. 

There will also be more appearances from legends and current players throughout the event.

More than £52,000 has been raised so far, with a target of £100,000. 

Who are Looseheadz?

LooseHeadz is rugby’s mental health charity on a mission to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health and provide dedicated leads for rugby clubs to help players talk openly about what can be a challenging subject. 

LooseHeadz provides partner rugby clubs with a toolkit of free resources to support the mental fitness of players, coaches and supporters. 

For more information and details on how to donate, visit the Looseheadz website or go to their JustGiving page.