ORGANISER Roger Woodall has confirmed the fourth annual Bournemouth Sevens Festival is set to attract a host of high profile figures from the world of international rugby.

Woodall and his Diamond Sports Events team are putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the hosting of the event at Chapel Gate this month.

About 20,000 people are expected to descend on the venue for the Daily Echo-backed showpiece, which will once again centre on high-level rugby, netball and live music.

The sports arena will offer two days of rugby, touch rugby and netball competitions, with teams from across Europe set to do battle for various trophies.

Well-known players from Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand and some of England’s top-flight players are expected to take part in the main National Invitation Cup rugby contest.

And Woodall revealed that a host of household names had already been in contact to secure their places at the festival, with World Cup winners Lewis Moody and Steve Thompson at the top of the list.

He told the Echo: “This year, we have got the England captain Lewis Moody. The World Cup winners Steve Thompson and Josh Lewsey are also expected to be in attendance, as well as British Lion Jamie Roberts and internationals Delon Armitage, Ugo Monye and Danny Care.

“We are in a position at the moment where all the international stars are phoning and asking to come down because they have heard so much stuff about it.

“They want to come down and relax at the end of the season.

“It is a who’s who of English rugby before they head out to New Zealand for the World Cup.”

To book a ticket visit bic.co.uk or ticketmaster.co.uk. For further information, visit bournemouthsevens.com