THE Marist Rugby Club will prioritise hosting local sevens clubs at the 37th Marist 7s tournament next May.
With international teams showing interest and turning to Fiji for exposure, the MRC officials said they would prefer to host local clubs at the Fiji Bitter sponsored event.
"Our aim in the past is to develop rugby at grassroots level.
"This year's all clubs will be playing at this international standard ground," said MRC president Lawrence Tikaram.
"Already some international teams are eager to be part of this year's event but like we have earlier mentioned, our aim is to develop local rugby and that is why we will prioritise to host our very own clubs."
Tikaram said they were expecting a much entertaining tournament when they host their 37th Marist tournament in May.
And with the new ANZ stadium to be completed in April, the MRC officials say the international standard stadium will be a huge boost in the development of grassroots rugby.
So far, Tonga and Fiji have confirmed that they would send their shadow national teams at the event.
Papua New Guinea is also negotiating to send a team.
Tikaram said for the national sevens side, this Marist event would be a perfect build up prior to the Rugby World Cup 7s.
"Like before we always name the Hong Kong team after the Marist event, this year the event will be a good build up for our Fiji team."
The Marist tournament kicks off on May 31.
Wardens is the defending champion of the Marist 7s.
In last year's final the Setefano Cakau-led side defeated Police 22-7 after a hard fought final at the national stadium