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The draw and schedule for the final leg of the National Series at this Saturday’s Newquay Surf Sevens (July 17) has been revealed by UR7s.

Samurai International hold an 8 point advantage over the 2nd placed British Army heading into the final tournament of the inaugural Series.

The British Army, winners at the previous leg in Manchester, must realistically win the Cup to have any hopes of stopping Samurai claiming the overall title. If the servicemen were to win with Samurai falling at the semi-final stage both sides would be level on points and tournament wins, taking it to points difference throughout the Series.

With both sides already guaranteed their places at August’s Middlesex Charity Sevens the race is on for the remaining core teams to join them at Twickenham.

The HFW Wailers are in 3rd place (36 points) looking certain of their place with White Hart Marauders (32), Gilbert Pups (32) and Akuma Smurfs (30) all close behind.

As winners of Manchester the Army are top seeds in Cornwall in Group A with the Smurfs and Apache.

Samurai are in Group B once again with Raging Bull Ronin, deserved Plate winners in Manchester. The guest spot is filled by Kamikaze who have enjoyed success at the various Open tournaments that accompanied the National Series, the highlight being a Cup win at London’s RugbyRocks.

Off the back of their first semi-final of the season the Pups will look to continue their form in Group C against the unpredictable Olorun ID and guests Handstand Quins.

The Quins possess leading players from various leading clubs around the South West region and have been put together by former England Sevens man, Rob Thirlby. The side are associated with the Handstand charity which seeks to raise funds for 2-year-old Marshall Johnson in his rehabilitation from Meningitis.

Perennial semi-finalists the HFW Wailers will be determined to make that step-up from the Cup semi-finals in a bid for glory. Their Group D clash with an always improving White Hart Marauders will be a must-watch clash, with the Wailers just having the edge in the Manchester last-eight.

French flair will be provided by Toulouse-based Froggies who boat a rich history of participation on the international invitational sevens stage.

Ideal location to finish Series

“Newquay is a fantastic place for the series to culminate and we are expecting a special weekend,” said Tom Burwell, National Sevens Series Operations Director.

“The British Army's win in Manchester has kept the Series alive and I expect Samurai and the Army to be locking horns again at some point.

“Though the outright championship is still up for grabs, the battle for 3rd and 4th spot between the Wailers, Marauders, Pups and Smurfs is also going to be enthralling. All of them are in for a chance to go and represent the National Series at Twickenham in the Middlesex Sevens.

"Ronin’s Plate win in Manchester shows the strength of all the core sides and I expect them, along with Olorun and Apache, to be competitive,” added Burwell.

“It's great to hear that Newquay is buzzing with National Series fever and if we get the weather I am sure the fans will be there in large numbers.”

National Sevens Series - Newquay Surf Sevens Groups

Group A:
British Army
Akuma Smurfs
Apache

Group B:
Samurai International
Ronin
Kamikaze

Group C:
Gilbert Pups
Olorun ID
Handstand Harlequins

Group D:
HFW Wailers
White Hart Marauders
Froggies

National Sevens Series - Manchester Sevens Schedule

10:00 A British Army V Akuma Smurfs
10:20 B Samurai International V Kamikaze
10:40 C Gilbert Pups V Handstand Quins
11:00 D HFW Wailers V French Froggies
11:20 A British Army V Apache
11:40 B Samurai International V Ronin
12:00 C Gilbert Pups V Olorun ID
12:20 D HFW Wailers V Marauders
12:40 A Akuma Smurfs V Apache
13:00 B Ronin V Kamikaze
13:20 C Handstand Quins V Olorun ID
13:40 D Marauders V French Froggies

14:20 Cup Q/F #1 Winner 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
16:00 Plate Semi #2
16:20 Cup Semi #1
16:40 Cup Semi #2
17:00 Mens Open Final
17:30 Womens Open Final
18:00 Plate Final
18:30 Cup Final

National Sevens Series Standings (after 3 events)

Samurai International 56 (pts)
British Army 48
HFW Wailers 36
White Hart Marauders 32
Gilbert Pups 32
Akuma Smurfs 30
Apache 24
Olorun ID 22
Raging Bull Ronin 16

Rugby Rocks - Samurai International
West Country Sevens - Samurai International
Manchester Sevens - British Army
Newquay Surf Sevens (July 17)