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UR7s have announced the pools and match schedule for the third leg of the National Sevens Series, continuing this Sunday at the Manchester Sevens (July 3).

After two events on the Series, Samurai lead the way following consecutive wins at RugbyRocks and West Country Sevens.

The nine core sides and three guest teams head to Heywood Road (Sale FC) at the weekend for the penultimate leg with Newquay the final stop on July 17. 

Despite Samurai being pushed to the brink in both of their Cup finals, they could secure the overall title with a victory in Manchester.

They are top seeds in Group A joined by the Akuma Smurfs and Raging Bull Ronin. Welsh-based Smurfs are slowly finding their form and will look to build on their two successive quarter-finals with Ronin searching for their first win.

Samurai were winners a year ago at the first ever Manchester Sevens beating the White Hart Marauders to the title.

The British Army is Samurai’s closest challenger, finishing runners-up to the leaders in the West Country finale, 36-33. Both Mark Lee and Viliame Satala are expected back for the servicemen on Sunday, having missed the last tournament due to injury.

The Army is placed in Group B with Olorun ID and guests Gameface Pacific Warriors. The ‘ID’ took the Plate at RugbyRocks in the opening round and will be looking to bounce back after a Plate semi-final exit at Keynsham. The Warriors are a relative new side to the invitational circuit, hailing from the South Pacific and created to help raise funds for the region.

Third placed HFW Wailers are in Group C and will try to build on their two semi-finals, having only been narrowlybeaten by Samurai and the Army so far.

Gilbert Pups are firmly in the middle pack on the overall standings and will believe they can break into the top four. Great Britain Students will join the Wailers and Pups, with the guest side assembling some of the most exciting young talent from Universities across Wales, England and Scotland.

Group D could prove the most competitive of the draw with the White Hart Marauders, Apache and Sale Sharks all set to face each other.

The Marauders will look to build on their West Country last four showing with Apache also making encouraging progress. Premiership and local club Sale fills the third guest position and will look to continue the good form shown by the specially invited teams that have joined the core sides.

Strongest yet

“Manchester is set to be the strongest tournament yet,” said Tom Burwell, National Sevens Series Operations Director.

“With the British Army back to full strength, the addition of Sale Sharks, GB Students and the Pacific Warriors alongside stronger more settled 'core' squads this could be the tournament where the upsets begin to happen.”

“The third tournament of the Series is pivotal. If the Army or the Wailers can get the win, it will be wide open for Newquay.”

UR7s can also reveal that National Series core sides will be involved at the Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham on August 14. Samurai International and the Army will definitely be in the draw joined by the next two highest placed teams from the National Sevens Series.

“The race for qualification for Middlesex 7s is really hotting up. The Wailers and Marauders lie in third and fourth place respectively but the chasing pack of Smurfs, Apache, and Pups will be out to overtake them this weekend,” added Burwell. 

National Sevens Series - Manchester Sevens Groups

Group A:
Samurai International
Akuma Smurfs
Raging Bull Ronin

Group B:
British Army
Olorun ID
Game Face Pacific Warriors

Group C:
HFW Wailers
Gilbert Pups
GB Students

Group D:
White Hart Marauders
Apache
Sale Sharks

National Sevens Series - Manchester Sevens Schedule

A Samurai International V Akuma Smurfs
B British Army V Pacific Warriors
C HFW Wailers V Gilbert Pups
D Marauders V Apache
A Samurai International V Ronin
B British Army V Olorun ID
C HFW Wailers V GB Students
D Marauders V Sale Sharks
A Smurfs V Ronin
B Pacific Warriors V Olorun ID
C Gilbert Pups V GB Students
D Apache V Sale Sharks

Cup Q/F #1 Winner A V R/U B
Cup Q/F #2 Winner C V R/U D
Cup Q/F #3 Winner B V R/U A
Cup Q/F #4 Winner D V R/U C
Plate Semi #1 3rd A V 3rd B
Plate Semi #2 3rd C V 3rd D
Cup Semi #1 Cup Q/F #1 V Cup Q/F #4
Cup Semi #2 Cup Q/F #2 V Cup Q/F #3
Plate Final V
Cup Final V

National Sevens Series Standings (after 2 events)

Samurai International 40 (pts)
British Army 28
HFW Wailers 24
White Hart Marauders 22
Gilbert Pups 20
Akuma Smurfs 20
Apache 20
Olorun ID 12
Raging Bull Ronin 8