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The pools and match schedule have been announced for the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens at Murrayfield on 29-30 May, the concluding leg of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series.

The event follows one week after the London Sevens at Twickenham with Samoa currently in the box seat leading the World Series by three points from rivals New Zealand.

The Samoans, coached by Stephen Betham, are top seeds for Murrayfield drawn against Argentina, Kenya and France in Pool A.

New Zealand and South Africa are joined by the ever-improving Russians and Italy in Pool B.

Hosts Scotland reached the semi-finals last year but have toiled this season and are yet to secure any IRB points. Nonetheless coach Stephen Gemmell is excited to be playing in front of his home fans.

"It's always an unbelievable experience to be involved with any Scotland team playing at Murrayfield and the last two years have been truly memorable in terms of the results and performances that we've had at home," said Scotland Sevens coach Stephen Gemmell speaking to the IRB.

"The crowd has had a massive impact on that and you see that when you go around the world - all of the teams playing at home raise their level and we have done that and hope to do it again this year."

The Scots have been handed three tough pool games against USA, Fiji and Wales, with the Americans top seeds based on results in the last two legs at Adelaide and Hong Kong.

Australia will once again meet foes England in Pool C, joined by Canada and Portugal.

IRB Sevens Manager Beth Coalter added: "Once again this year the Series will reach its climax in Scotland, the birthplace of Sevens, and it is anyone's guess who will be crowned overall champion with things so tight at the top."

"Without question, this has been the most competitive Series to date and the top two will also be looking over their shoulders at the challengers, including Scotland who have performed superbly in Edinburgh in recent times.”

Edinburgh Sevens Pools:

Pool A – Samoa, Argentina, Kenya, France
Pool B – New Zealand, South Africa, Russia, Italy
Pool C – Australia, England, Canada, Portugal
Pool D – USA, Fiji, Wales, Scotland