Scotland will face a tough draw in the second IRB World Series 7s tournament of the season, in George, South Africa next month.

Coach Stephen Gemmell’s squad have been named alongside Samoa, Australia and Tunisia in Pool D of the event, which takes place on 7 and 8 December.

Gemmell said: “It’s a tough draw but as we finished ninth last season we are ranked third in our pool, just as we are in the opening tournament in Dubai at the end of this month.”

Seedings for the two following IRB tournaments early next year – in Wellington and San Diego – will be determined by how teams fare in Dubai and George so there is additional incentive for Scotland to improve on their current ninth place in the rankings.

“It’s important we get off to a good start in both Dubai and George,” Gemmell noted. “Samoa were the surprise package of the series last year. They have five of their squad involved again this time and we know they’ll be very powerful with pace aplenty.

“Australia have added five Super 14 players to their squad and that’s the calibre of opposition we’re going to be up against. That said we did beat them in San Diego last season.

“Tunisia were in our pool in George last year and they’re big rangy runners with pace to burn so the key against them will be to make sure we keep possession.”

Scotland open the George tournament facing Samoa, with their second tie against Australia. They conclude against Tunisia.

In Dubai the preceding week (30 November and 1 December) Scotland have been drawn in a pool with New Zealand, France and the Arabian Gulf.

The Scotland squad for both tournaments will be selected next week.

This article was posted on 8-Nov-2007, 23:50 by Hugh Barrow.