Perth-based Western Force have confirmed their participation at the Digicel Suva Rugby Festival in January 2010 and will compete in the International 7s section alongside teams from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Manawatu, and Hong Kong.

Making Monday’s announcement, Digicel Suva Rugby Festival Organising Committee chairman, Vilikesa Rauca said the presence of the Super 14 franchise team gives the tournament a tremendous boost.

“Since their entry into Super 14 competition in 2006, the Western Force have quickly established themselves as a contender,” Mr Rauca said. “This will be their first-ever trip to Fiji, so we want to make it memorable for them from the point of view of rugby as well as hospitality.”

The International 7s section of the Digicel Suva Rugby Festival will comprise eight teams from overseas with eight of Fiji’s top provinces and clubs that qualify through the Suva 7s Series of tournaments beginning this weekend.

Mitch Hardy, RugbyWA General Manager, Rugby, said the Force were “extremely keen” to take part in the Digicel Suva Rugby Festival and very much looking forward to the trip.

“The Western Force team that we will bring to Suva will be a highly competitive side comprised of all professional players with the minimum being academy level.”

“The Digicel Suva Rugby Festival provides us with a great opportunity as the Western Force embark on a new programme for 7s rugby in 2010.”

Held 15-23 January 2010 at various venues in the capital, the Digicel Suva Rugby Festival will involve more than 200 rugby teams and is the start of the build-up towards Suva Rugby’s centenary festivities in 2012.

Consisting of three preliminary tournaments, the Suva 7s Series kicks off at the National Stadium on 6-7 November. The winners and runners-up will qualify for the International 7s section of the Digicel Suva Rugby Festival in January.