Last season the Dragons won the Welsh leg of the event before going to Twickenham Stoop and stunning favourites Wasps to claim the title.
The Dragons will be looking to repeat their 2015 victory in the Welsh capital in order to qualify for the finals night at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on Sunday, August 7.
Former Wales 7s international Geraint Rhys Jones is looking forward to the challenge of defending the crown while adding the chance to take on the best of the English clubs for finals night is an added incentive as chances to play against them don’t come along very often.
“It’s a great tournament and we’re really looking forward to it again this year – we also know now that our fellow Welsh clubs will be targeting us and it will be tough for us to get out of the group stage in Wales, so we have to focus on performing at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. It’s going to be a great night,” he said.
“I really enjoy 7s – it’s a brilliant opportunity to go out and play with a bit more space and show your individual flair and particularly for some of our younger players to show what they can do in space.
“We’ve seen the growth of players like Harri Keedie who was excellent for us last year and did a great job with winning tries in both the semi-final and final and he’s gone on to really progress well with Wales U20s.
“There are a couple more coming through including the likes of Lloyd Lewis who has made his Wales 7s debut and looks like an exciting player.
“All four of the Welsh teams will want to qualify to have a crack at the English clubs in the final – they are high quality sides and it’s very exciting for our developing players to come up against these star players and show what they can do against them.”
Fixtures | Premiership Rugby 7s
Fri 22nd July 16
19:00 Scarlets 7s v Cardiff Blues 7s
19:25 Ospreys 7s v Newport Gwent Dragons 7s
19:55 Ospreys 7s v Scarlets 7s
20:20 Cardiff Blues 7s v Newport Gwent Dragons 7s
20:50 Scarlets 7s v Newport Gwent Dragons 7s
21:15 Ospreys 7s v Cardiff Blues 7s
