If you wandered into the quiet rugby pitches of northeast England last weekend expecting a sleepy sevens tournament, you’d have been in for a shock. What you’d actually find is a whirlwind of red-and-white, South African style finesse, Monégasque grit, and a whole lot of very fine rugby. Monaco certainly brought the fireworks to the tournament.
The Monaco Impis and their fierce female counterparts, the Umusas, didn’t just show up at the Eggchaser 7s, they took the tournament by the scruff of the neck, flipped it upside down, and danced with the trophies all the way back to the Riviera.
Who Are These Monégasque Marvels?
The Impis, born in 2017 with the backing of Princess Charlène (former Olympic swimmer and sports enthusiast), are no ordinary team. They’re part grassroots project, part international dream machine. Think: local Monégasque players shoulder-to-shoulder with seasoned international pros. It’s a “learn from the best” formula that’s starting to scare the socks off other sevens squads.
Then there’s the Umusas, the rising queens of Monégasque rugby. Coached by Christos Fiotakis, this squad blends elegance and brute force like a Chanel model with a mean sidestep. After making their mark in 2021 at the Emirates Dubai Sevens, they went quiet… until now.
Let’s just say their return to the scene was less “quiet comeback” and more “roaring takeover.”
The Eggchaser 7s Rumble
Hosted in Darlington, the Eggchaser 7s is no picnic in the park. It’s fast-paced, elite-level, and filled with squads that eat tackle bags for breakfast. Monaco glided through like it was a garden party.
The Impis showed clinical composure, hammering their way through the competition with a mix of silky handling and breakdown brutality.
Meanwhile, the Umusas dismantled their final opponents with precision.
Post-Match Vibes
One might think of the Impis as playing “like Fijians who’d gone to finishing school in Monte Carlo.” The tiny principality with more Ferraris than front rows can produce serious rugby muscle.
The Bigger Picture: Monaco’s Rugby Revolution
This isn’t just about one trophy-laden weekend. It’s about momentum. Fresh off winning gold at the Jeux des Petits États d’Europe in Andorra, the Federation Monégasque de Rugby is showing that its vision – led by DTN Jérémy Benstaali, head coach David Bolgashvili, and S&C master Gaëtan Boissard – is bearing real fruit.
They’re building something sustainable, competitive, and, most importantly, inspiring for local players and fans alike. The presence of AS Monaco Rugby players alongside top-level imports helps bridge the gap between ambition and execution.
Next Stop: European Championship Glory?
The season’s not over. The Impis and national team head to Andorra again next weekend, this time for the European Sevens Championships. The title’s eluded them since 2013. But if their current form holds, don’t be surprised if more silverware makes its way to the Mediterranean coast.
Monaco may be small, but as Darlington just learned the hard way, you underestimate them at your peril.
