EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

Scotland Sevens will face tough buddies in May



« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryHOSTS Scotland have been handed a tough draw ahead of the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens at Murrayfield from May 31 to June 1.

The Scots face this month's Adelaide Cup champions South Africa in Pool B on day one of the final event in the 2007-08 IRB Sevens World Series. The group also contains two other tough southern hemisphere sides in Australia and Argentina.

Last year Murrayfield provided the backdrop for a thrilling finale as New Zealand clinched the Series title with victory in the very final match of the season. The Kiwis' title looks safe after a dominant start to the season – Gordon Tietjens' side won the first five Cup titles – but they are yet to rubber-stamp their Series defence and the race is also on for second place behind them between South Africa, Fiji and Samoa.

As No.1 seeds New Zealand head pool A in Edinburgh and face England, Russia and Portugal. Third seeds Samoa head Pool C and face Canada, Series newcomers Spain and Wales, who memorably beat Fiji in last year's quarter finals to pave the way for New Zealand's late title charge.

The Fijians this year line up in Pool D, where they face the dual European challenge of France and Moldova as well as the impressive Kenyans.

Emirates Airline event Ambassador Roger Baird said: "I wish all the teams success in their preparations and look forward to welcoming them to Scotland in the coming weeks."

New Zealand need seven points – victory in the Plate (eight points) or a Cup semi-final appearance (12) – to seal their Series defence at the Emirates Airline London Sevens. However, should they not achieve either of those marks at Twickenham, Murrayfield could once again stage the decisive matches.

This article was posted on 28-Apr-2008, 13:41 by Hugh Barrow.