High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Rugby Union Sevens - a short form of the sport of rugby union - was first played in 1883, with the first (men`s) internationals taking place in 1973. As women`s rugby union developed in the 1960s and 1970s the format became very popular as it allowed games, and entire leagues, to be developed in countries even when player numbers were small, and it remains the main form the women`s game is played in most parts of the world.