Premiership sides Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors, as well as national Sevens teams from Ireland, Nigeria and Wales, have signed up for the annual Greene King IPA Sevens tournament at Bury St Edmunds RUFC.

Hosted for its seventh year at the Haberden ground, the tournament is sponsored by Bury-based brewer Greene King IPA, and will be held on Sunday 3rd May 2015.

Up to 16 teams will feature in the elite competition, while there will be an eight-side open competition for local teams – including a Bury side comprising several of the Green & Ambers’ first-team players – and a six-team Women’s 7s tournament.

Last year’s winners Northampton will be returning to defend their title and battle for a slice of the £7,000 prize money

“This will be our seventh year of hosting the Greene King IPA 7s and during that relatively short time it has developed a reputation as one of the premier Sevens tournaments on the circuit attracting some of the best sevens teams in the world,” said Bury chairman Michael Robinson.

“This year will be a phenomenal year for rugby, with the World Cup being played on British soil and interest in the sport at an all-time high.

“Sevens rugby has even higher, fast-paced action and thrills and spills than the full XV game, which is why it makes such as great spectator sport.

“Last year we had in excess of 2,500 spectators join us for this tournament and we expect that to rise this year.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for sports fans to watch some of the top players in our game right here in East Anglia.”

Alongside the tournament, the club will once again be hosting a beer festival throughout the weekend, kicking off on Friday 1st May from 7pm.

Anticipation is already building as to who will present the winning trophy this year, following previous special guest appearances from England players Chris Ashton, James Haskell, David Strettle, Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley.

Entrance for the event, which includes food, drink and merchandise stalls, children’s play activities and family friendly competitions is £10 per adult and £5 for under-15s. Under-fives go free.

There are discounts for members of the Armed Forces and spectators can pay at the gate on the day.

Confirmed line-up of Elite competitors so far: Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, Samurai Barracudas, Wailers, Apache, Irish Exiles, Worcester Warriors, Welsh Charitables, Welsh Academicals, Esher, Ramblin Jesters