YORK Railway Institute RU ladies are set for a "once in a lifetime experience" after shocking their way through to grand finals day in the inaugural national 24/Sevens competition.

York RI, a Women's North Two East outfit, headed to West Park, Leeds, for the North play-offs in this sevens tournament, where they took on two teams ranked much higher in a round-robin event, with two spots up for grabs for this Sunday's national finals at Allianz Park, the home of London rugby union giants Saracens.

RI lost to a Northern Lights outfit that selects some of the best players in the North but stunned West Park four tries to one to seal second place and ensure they will be one of 24 teams competing in the capital.

RI will be lowest ranked team at Allianz Park, playing among the best teams in the land, but a club spokesman said: "We fully expect the day to be challenging but will embrace this once in a lifetime experience."

Run by England Rugby, 24/Sevens is a new community sevens series that aims to grow rugby union and increase participation.

On the regional play-offs in Leeds, RI's sevens captain, Shannon Little, said: "It was a really great day. It was awesome to have a ladies' tournament because there haven't been many.

"It's a shame that a couple of girls who we play 15s against could not come down but it was great and we surprised ourselves with how well we did.

"We were a bit deflated with the start of the day but we battled on and by the end we loved it, so we can't wait for Sunday.

"My dad's text in the morning was 'Just try and score a try' but in the end we did so much better.

"You don't forget the feeling of getting tackled and it hurts a bit more on the harder ground, so we have a few nice grazes.

"To get through to a national final is great for us. It proves to ourselves what we can do if we put our minds to it."

Rugby sevens will make its Olympic Games debut in Rio with Team GB sending men’s and women’s teams.

There was plenty of talent on show at West Park to suggest sevens is strong across the country at all levels of the game, with Little promising another entertaining affair when her team turns out in the national grand final.

"Everyone was so energised by winning, and we have some momentum going forward,” she said.

"It was important for camaraderie and team spirit because I made cakes, we had ciders and a few had face paint done too.

"It is great to keep that rugby family vibe going through the off-season, getting everyone involved.”

*England Rugby 24/Sevens, a new grassroots sevens competition for all rugby teams, welcomes anyone who just wants to pick up a ball and run, for fun or glory. Visit www.englandrugby.com/24sevens to get involved