Now that sevens rugby is an Olympic sport, the game will gradually receive a higher profile the closer its debut at the 2016 Games in Rio approaches.

Banking giant HSBC has already got involved, and has been awarded the title-naming rights to the International Rugby Board's sevens series for the next five years. The first sponsorship deal for the sport, the series will now be known as the HSBC Sevens World Series.

The affect will be felt at all levels according to IRB president Bernard Lapasset, and it being an Olympic sport has already changed the way sevens is being viewed in Bermuda.

Historically played as an end of season tournament, sevens will play a more prominent role in the Island's rugby schedule this season, with four round robin tournaments built into the fixture list.

The first takes place at Malabar on Saturday, and over the course of the season will give Bermuda coach Lawrence Bird the opportunity to build up a strong squad from which to work.

Police will fancy their chances of dominating the sevens, especially after the way their backs carved Mariners apart last weekend. The men in blue put in a stunning performance of power and pace as they ran in five tries in a comfortable 36-8 win.

Gareth Davies crossed twice and there were also tries for Tommy Edwards, Durnferd Davies and David Pringle, who also kicked four conversions. In reply Mariners were limited to a Andy Boyce penalty in the first half and a Rob Brown try in the second.

It was a much closer affair in the women's encounter, where Mariners narrowly edged a 3-2 thriller over Police to maintain their perfect start to the season.

Denika Borden scored twice for Mariners with Gina Newson grabbing the other, while Lauren Wilson and Julia Mansfield scored for Police.

Renegades are the other remaining unbeaten team after a clinical performance saw them put Teachers away on a 5-0 score line.

The defending champions, unbeaten in the league in three years, again look like they will be difficult to beat this season. Their tries came from Melissa Field who bagged two, Jess Gilbert and Nicola Jones.