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Sevens stays despite stayaways

Rugby's Hong Kong Sevens is set to go ahead as planned - despite the high-profile withdrawals of the Italian and French national teams.

The two teams pulled out last week citing concerns over the new virus which is causing alarm in the region and is rapidly spreading around the globe.
But now the sport's governing body, the International Rugby Board, has said the remaining 22 nations have all confirmed they will attend and the event will take place next weekend as planned.
There had been a question mark hanging over several other nations - among them Australia and New Zealand - but these seem to have come to nothing.
Meanwhile, as war in the Middle East escalates, UEFA says it will today confirm arrangements for England's planned Euro 2004 qualifier against Liechtenstein in Vaduz.
Following talks on Sunday between representatives of European football's governing body and officials from the Liechtenstein FA and the principality's authorities, UEFA has given the association and authorities a deadline of 12.00 CET today to provide the necessary guarantees regarding the staging of the match.
There is concern in the small principality, which lies between Switzerland and Austria, about possible anti-war demonstrations to coincide with the game, and the availability of a sufficient police presence at the match.
And European basketball's Euroleague tournament has been forced to move this week's Champions Cup games in Israel.

The games will now be staged in Italy and Bulgaria.