U.S. bids for big rugby event

Two fans cheer on the American team during the recent Las Vegas leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

• The U.S. is bidding to host the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens


• Rugby sevens is a seven-a-side version of rugby union


• The Rugby World Cup Sevens is staged every four years


• The 2013 event took place in Russia and was won by New Zealand

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(CNN) — In its bid to compete with major U.S. sports, American rugby could be set to receive a huge boost.

USA Rugby has announced its interest in tendering for the right to host the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens, ahead of a formal bid on December 5.

Sevens is a scaled-down version of rugby union, with seven players on each team rather than 15.

Over 10 countries have so far registered an interest in hosting the tournament, with the International Rugby Board set to make a final decision on May 15, 2015.

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“2018 may appear to be a long way away at this time, but the decision on who will host the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2018 will be made in the next 13 months,” USA Rugby chief executive officer Nigel Melville said in a statement.

“The USA Rugby board have already established a Rugby World Cup bid committee under the chairmanship of board member Will Chang and talks have already taken place with a small number of cities who have expressed interest in hosting this incredible event.”

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