Samoa kick off their Sevens title defence
They'll face Kenya, Wales and Arabian Gulf
Dubai: Reigning World Series champions Samoa kick off their defence at Dubai's purpose-built complex The Sevens in Pool A with opening matches on day one against Kenya, last year's Dubai Bowl winners Wales and the hosts, Arabian Gulf.
Defending Dubai champions New Zealand will travel as favourites, having recently scooped a fourth successive Commonwealth Games gold medal. Gordon Tietjens again coaches the New Zealanders, who face Pool B matches against Argentina, the US and Zimbabwe.
As the third-placed team in last year's World Series standings, Australia top Pool C and face South Africa, whom they beat in the recent Commonwealth Games semifinals in Delhi and also in the 2009 Dubai Plate final. The Wallaby and Springbok Sevens outfits also face Scotland and the 2009 Dubai Shield winners, Russia.
Fiji top Pool D and face a tough trio of matches against European sides, firstly Portugal in the opening match of the tournament and then unpredictable France and crowd favourites England.
"The unique, desert atmosphere of Dubai is a superb venue to kick off the World Series and last year's event was another fantastic advertisement for Sevens," said the IRB's Series Tournament Director, Beth Coalter.
"We expect even better this year and also look forward to kicking off the World Series' new title sponsorship with HSBC in the best possible style."
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset added: "We fully expect this, the 12th edition of the World Series, to be the biggest and the best ever."
