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UR7s have announced the pools and match schedule for the first event of inaugural National Sevens Series, starting this Saturday at London’s RugbyRocks (June 12).

The Series features nine of the top specialist sevens teams battling it out for the overall title across four tournaments throughout the UK over June and July. Some of the UK’s most exciting up and coming talent will compete alongside seasoned internationals from the IRB Sevens World Series.

Richmond RFC plays host to the hotly anticipated first leg, with invited teams French Pyrenees, Esher, and Irish Raiders joining the core teams selected for the Series.

The 12 sides make up four pools of three, with the top two qualifying for the Cup quarter-finals, with the third placed teams heading to the Plate competition.

Hotly favoured Samurai International, winners at the Amsterdam Sevens, lead the challenge in Pool B drawn with Apache and the Irish Raiders.

Gilbert Pups, a potential dark horse for the title, open the tournament up against the French Pyrenees in Pool A. Welsh based side Akuma Smurfs join the pair in a group with an international flavour.

HFW Wailers’ talented squad, thanks to strong links to Newcastle Falcons, meet the unpredictable Olorun ID and Esher in Pool C.

The British Army have warmed up for RugbyRocks with wins at Bournemouth and a semi-final at last weekend’s Roma Sevens. They face Raging Bull Ronin, themselves with a strong military influence, and the White Hart Marauders in what is set to be another competitive pool.

"The National Sevens Series is sure to see some upsets across the season and looking at the draw we could see some on the first weekend of the Series at RugbyRocks,” says Tom Burwell, National Sevens Series Operations Director.

"The draw has seen many of the fancied sides for the Series drawn apart, although it will be exciting to see British Army tackle the White Hart Marauders in the group stages. What is certain though is that RugbyRocks will the most competitive tournament in the UK so far this summer.It’s too tough to call who will come out on top.

"Excitement is building by the day, with the teams due in for training sessions on Thursday and Friday aiming to have a blow out before the tournament,” added Burwell.

Also featuring at RugbyRocks will be high quality teams likes Koru Kamikaze and the Touraid Castaways battling it out for the Men’s Open title. 12 teams will also be battling it out for the Scrumqueens.com Women’s competition. Included are Wasps, Richmond, Bristol, Worcester, Wooden Spoon and Pink BaaBaas.

Following RugbyRocks the Series heads to West Country (Keynsham RFC, June 19) Manchester (Sale FC, Heywood Rd, July 4) before finishing in Newquay (Newquay Surf Sports Centre, July 19).

UR7s revealed last week that Sky Sports will broadcast the Series with a 90 minute primetime highlights show from each of the four tournaments that will incorporate the Series across June and July.

National Sevens Series - RugbyRocks Pools

Group A:

Gilbert Pups
French Pyrenees
Akuma Smurfs

Group B:

HFW Wailers
Olorun ID
Esher

Group C:

WH Marauders
British Army
Raging Bull Ronin

Group D:

Samurai International
Apache
Irish Raiders

National Sevens Series - RugbyRocks Schedule

10:00 A Gilbert Pups V French Pyrenees
10:20 B HFW Wailers V Olorun ID
10:40 C WH Marauders V British Army
11:00 D Samurai International V Apache
11:20 A Gilbert Pups V Akuma Smurfs
11:40 B HFW Wailers V Esher
12:00 C WH Marauders V RB Ronin
12:20 D Samurai International V Irish Raiders
12:40 A French Pyrenees V Akuma Smurfs
13:00 B Olorun ID V Esher
13:20 C British Army V RB Ronin
13:40 D Apache V Irish Raiders

14:20 Cup Q/F #1 Winnner A V R/U B
14:40 Cup Q/F #2 Winner C V R/U D
15:00 Cup Q/F #3 Winner B V R/U A
15:20 Cup Q/F #4 Winner D V R/U C
15:40 Plate Semi #1 3rd A V 3rd B
16:00 Plate Semi #2 3rd C V 3rd D
16:20 Cup Semi #1 Cup Q/F #1 V Cup Q/F #2
16:40 Cup Semi #2 CUP Q/F #3 V Cup Q/F #4
17:00 Open Final 
17:30 Wom Final 
18:00 Plate Final Plate Semi #1 V Plate Semi #2
18:30 Cup Final Cup Semi #1 V Cup Semi #2