One down and three to go on the National Sevens Series. It’s time for some predictions for tomorrow’s second leg at the West Country Sevens at Keynsham RFC.

My next power rankings will be the week following this event, giving me two tournaments to gauge where exactly I rate each side.

I chatted with a number of people at RugbyRocks about the standard of play. International coaches, former players and normal spectators all commented on the standard of the rugby and the competitive nature between all the sides. There were no easy games and it really was a battle of attrition and I expect it to be no different tomorrow.

So after spending some quality time with the players and the coaches and my insiders at UR7s (still slipping me the registration inside line!) here are my predictions for this coming weekend.

National Sevens Series - West Country Sevens

Group A - 1st. Samurai International, 2nd. Apache, 3rd. RB Ronin

Apache pushed Samurai to the last play of the game in Richmond and team manager Adam Hurst struggled to let it slide throughout the day. He knew, as I do, that Apache had let their big chance go. I fear they won’t get the same opportunity again, Samurai will top the group followed by Apache. Ronin will head to the Plate again and will still be looking for their first win of the season.

Group B - 1st. British Army, 2nd. Gilbert Pups, 3rd. Trust PA Cavaliers

The British Army looked like they were quietly moving through the field with relative ease on Saturday. Then half-time came in their semi-final against guest side Esher and BOOM! They fell apart. The Army will go about their business in the group stages as expected and comfortably beat the Cavaliers by a three or four scores and then defeat the Pups by a couple. The Pups will make the Cup once more by taking a win against the Cavaliers.

Group C - 1st. HFW Wailers, 2nd. Shamrock Warriors, 3rd. Olorun ID

Olorun pushed the Wailers in the first game of Group A last weekend and they will look to do the same this week – this time in Group C. Tough ask for the ID boys though, who like Apache might have missed the boat. I reckon the Warriors will then shock Olorun and grab that vital second place, condemning the ID to the Plate once more. Could be an unpredictable group.

Group D - 1st. WH Marauders, 2nd. Les Bleus, 3rd. Akuma Smurfs

Real international flavour here. The Welsh based side Akuma Smurfs, last week’s surprise package, take on Les Bleus of France and the Marauders. Again, like Group C, expect things to be close and see the Marauders win their two games by small margins. I foresee the French gaining revenge over the Smurfs, relegating them to the Plate. How things change in a week?!

Plate semi-finals

#1 Raging Bull Ronin v PA Trust Cavaliers

Ronin found themselves in this position last Saturday and ultimately didn’t deliver. But their luck changes here and I think their power game will come up good in this match, giving them their first win in the Series. There is nothing that can replace experience and Ronin by this point will have lost five tough games on the bounce. This has been a step-up for the Cavaliers and could prove just too tough.

Winners - Raging Bull Ronin

#2 Olorun ID v The Smurfs

Olorun will not be too happy about being in the Plate for a second week. The Smurfs will be disappointed in dropping from their high perch as 4th seeds for West Country. All in all this will be a fascinating game that the Welsh will win, leaving poor Olorun winless for the day.

Winners - Akuma Smurfs

Cup quarter finals

#1 Samurai v Gilbert Pups

This could be a great game if the Pups can rediscover their early season form. Even with the addition of some Esher boys into their squad (full of confidence from their run last week) I can’t see the Pups winning this. Samurai will be stronger this week than RugbyRocks but they will have to break a sweat here to beat the delightfully pink Pups.

Winners - Samurai International

#2 HFW Wailers v Les Bleus

This will be the game of the round. As you all know, the Wailers are a real favorite of mine and last week only backed that view up. They were definitely good enough to win and they play a good brand. Les Bleus have been successful all over the world and I’ve enjoyed viewing their success in places like Las Vegas and Nancy. This will be a high scoring game with Tyson Lewis getting his fair share of scores for the Wailers. They will just do enough to make a second semi-final in seven days.

Winners - HFW Wailers

#3 British Army v Apache

There was a glimmer of an upset on the cards when these two met in the quarter-final last week. But the Army did what they failed to do later in the day and put Apache away. It will be the same this week. Apache are a solid side. A team that capitalise on their opposition’s mistakes, but the thing is the Army don't make many and they will get through.

Winners - British Army

#4 White Hart Marauders v Shamrock Warriors

This is going to be a good week for the Marauders. They were quite close last weekend but as I suspected, they need some time to blend together and Rugby Rocks gave them that. Their mixture of young and old, power and pace will be too much for the more traditional Irishmen.

Winners - White Hart Marauders

Cup semi finals

#1 Samurai International v White Hart Marauders

When the pair met last week, Samurai didn't really have to do much to beat the young Marauders. It won’t be so easy for them this time around. The Marauders will have learnt a lot from last week’s loss and will take the game to their opponents. The problem for the Marauders is that Samurai will be on another level from last week and I think they will just have too much.

Winner - Samurai International

#2 HFW Wailers v British Army

I think both sides match up with one another really well, meaning we are in for one hell of a game. Before their implosion, the British Army looked the business and in my view the only other side capable of beating them last week were the Wailers. I stand by that view here too. The Army will win a leg of the National Series but not in the West Country, Wailers by a nose.

Winner - HFW Wailers

Plate final

Raging Bull Ronin v The Akuma Smurfs

Last week’s Plate final proved to be a little one sided and this week will be the same with the Welshmen taking the 8 points and some more prize money for the kitty. Ronin are going to be competitive in the National Series and, as I have said in my power rankings, they are a side that I have great empathy for. But they need to start playing the game with a little less fear. They are a very safe side, a side playing with power but in the same way as the Army.

West Country 7s - National Series Plate Winner - The Akuma Smurfs

Cup final

Ok, so last week I handed the poisoned chalice to the Wailers in predicting them to win the tournament. My heart says they can win here but my head is telling me it’s going to be back-to-back Series wins for Samurai.

As they were in Amsterdam, Samurai were ripe for the taking last weekend but as is the case with many of the best sports teams in the world, they found a way to win. With some big guns bolstering them here it’s going to be their title, much to the disappointment of their rivals.

West Country 7s - National Series Cup Winner - Samurai International

See you in tomorrow in Bristol.

Keep it 7s

JB