Members of Blackheath RFC’s men’s and women’s first team squads are flying to Mexico to take part in this weekend’s Cancun Sevens.

The club has been invited by the Mexican sports ministry and rugby federation to represent the United Kingdom at the tournament as part of the dual year, a link-up between the two governments to promote their respective countries.

Director of rugby Simon Legg will take two men’s sevens teams and one sevens team from Club's women's squad.

They will take part in an outreach programme, introducing the game to Mexican schoolchildren, as well as holding a rugby clinic for recently formed clubs in the area.

The tournament, which involves some of the strongest teams from Mexico and the USA, takes place on Saturday at the El Rey Polo Club and is the second time Blackheath have participated having previously played in 2009.

Legg said: “I immediately thought it was an incredible opportunity to travel to one of the fastest growing rugby nations and not only compete in the tournament, but also strengthen interest in rugby as a whole in the area.

“It is also fantastic that we are able to take both our men’s and women’s squads.

“The women’s game is certainly growing in popularity globally and to be able to do a joint tour is a huge step forward.

“Both squads are excited to play in the tournament but also to experience a new culture and develop rugby for future generations in Mexico.”

The chair of Blackheath’s women’s section, Clare Walsh, will be playing in the tournament and admits the squad is relishing the prospect of its first tour to Mexico.

She explained: “We are excited to be able to contribute to the development of rugby in Mexico through our participation in the tournament and our engagement with local schools.

“Canada getting to last year’s women’s World Cup final shows that rugby is growing in both strength and popularity in North America.

“We expect competition to be hard and have trained accordingly and hope the skills we have developed through our success in being one of the top two teams in our league in recent seasons shines through.”