Zimbabwe's men began the rugby sevens Olympic repechage tournament with a convincing win against Mexico - although it was the only game played in Monaco today after Uganda were withdrawn following a coronavirus outbreak.

Uganda were excluded from completion "following a number of positive COVID-19 results determined during scheduled arrival testing", World Rugby said in a statement.

No other positive tests were returned by any of the nine men's and 12 women's teams in Monaco yesterday, according to the governing body.

"All Uganda players have been in strict isolation since arrival, and the delegation will continue to follow the isolation quarantine process as determined by the Monaco authorities’ public health guidelines", added the statement.

"Owing to the nature of these tournament protocols, there has been no close contact with members from other teams."

Two men's games had been scheduled today at the the Stade Louis II before the event properly begins tomorrow.

No team will play more than three games in a day, for reasons of player welfare, and that is why the Zimbabwe-Mexico clash was scheduled today.

Godfrey Magaramombe, Sam Phiri and Munopa Muneta scored the tries as Zimbabwe won 21-0.

Uganda had been due to face Jamaica.

Samoa, Ireland and Tonga are also in men's Pool A with the Mexicans and Zimbabweans.

France, Hong Kong, Chile and Jamaica now make up Pool B.

Brazil and China pulled out before the draw was made, citing COVID-19 complications.

The top two in each round-robin group will advance to the semi-finals.

One men's Olympic berth is on offer.

Two are on offer in the women's event, where 12 teams have been divided into three groups.

Samoa, ROC, Mexico and Argentina are in Pool A, Jamaica, Tunisia, Papua New Guinea and Kazakhstan make up Pool B, and France, Hong Kong and Colombia join Madagascar in Pool C.

Eight teams will advance to the knockout stage, from which two will emerge as Tokyo 2020 qualifiers.

Source: https://www.insidethegames.biz