Winning start for top teams Dubai College beat Exiles

Dubai: The leading contenders for the Melrose Cup all made winning starts as the Rugby World Cup Sevens got underway last night with a first set of men's games at The Sevens.

Holders Fiji were far from impressive in their 26-10 success over Georgia, and needed a 70-metre breakaway try midway through the second half from Vilimoni Delasau to settle their nerves while a late touchdown from Peni Rokodiva further flattered the Pacific islanders.

But New Zealand, England and South Africa kicked off with comfortable victories while Kenya, Wales, Argentina and Samoa also triumphed in their first outings.

And another country can be added to the mix in the shape of France who downed form-team USA 26-17 to boost their hopes of going through.

The six pool winners and the two best-placed sides finishing second will qualify for tomorrow's cup quarterfinals.

England rallied from the first half yellow carding of Kevin Barrett and conceding a try to eventually down Hong Kong 42-5, Ben Gollings and Tom Varndell both touching down twice with Tom Biggs and Josh Drauniniu completing the list of try scorers.

Viliame Waqaseduadua claimed a try in each half as New Zealand comfortably overcame Italy 42-0.

The men in black were forced to make a late change to their squad on the eve of the tournament when Umaga Marshall was ruled out with a lower back strain to be replaced by Julian Savea.

South Africa meanwhile brought the curtain down on the first day's action with a 26-5 win over Japan.

Mpho Mbiyozo was first on the board, taking advantage of a loose Japanese pass some 40 metres out, while Gio Aplon and Frankie Horne also touched down before the turnaround.

Vuyo Zangqa added South Africa's fourth try but coach Paul Treu will have been far from pleased at Alisi Tupuailei's last minute consolation for Japan when he brushed off three would-be tacklers in the far corner.

France, meanwhile, have long been underachievers at the short form of the game, despite the flair and innovation they consistently show in the 15-a-side game.

But this could be the year for that to change as recalled winger Julien Malzieu, who started against Ireland and Wales in the current Six Nations campaign, was among the try scorers against the USA.

He said: "I'd forgotten how hard sevens is. We were lucky, but we also have no pressure and no expectations on us."