Apologies for not doing my National Series predictions for Manchester, I of course had them all correct by the way!

I was away with the 'wife' but luckily was still able make it to Heywood Road to watch the third leg of the series. We had some upsets, some firsts and a title challenge coming into gear just at the right time.

Can’t wait to watch it on Sky Sports 4 tonight here in the UK at 20:00!

Although the numbers through the gate could have been larger at Sale FC, we were blessed with some fine rugby sevens.

With the final leg of the Series this Saturday in Newquay, this is my final Power Rankings of the UK season. A quick reminder that this has nothing to do with the positions on the overall standings and as you will see this differs. It is a rating system that takes into account my musings from Manchester on form, ambition and potential.

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1. Samurai International

They may have missed out on a third successive tournament win, but after 14 straight National Series match victories they were bound to lose one eventually.

I love it when Samurai don't go all ‘Superstar’ out. This was the case at the West Country, but the two sides they put out at RugbyRocks and Manchester have displayed passion and drive to get themselves either to the final or over the line. That’s what this Series is all about. I am sure with the title on the line, some established names will return this weekend. But players such as Dacey, Wiley, Griffiths and Bright are the ones that have put Samurai in such a strong position. I hope they are recognised for this.

2. British Army

The addition of Satala boosted the Manchester winners. He is so hard to take down, stays on his feet and off-loads out of contact. He and Kava are fantastic at this and with Wessells linking with one of my favourite players of the Series, Gus Qasavakatini, they are a handful. I really admire the British Army sevens outfit with their passionate backroom staff and players that just love this game. But it is not always very pretty. There are moments of sheer brilliance and individual skill but they often win by wearing their opponents down in the contact area. Perhaps it's because I’m biased because I’m based in Europe but I prefer the style of the Northern Hemisphere Sevens teams - don't stone me! I can't take it away from these guys though. They are in the hunt and this weekend is going to be very interesting.

3. HFW Wailers

For three-quarters of Manchester, the Wailers were a shadow of their former selves, with a particularly painful loss to the Pups in the group stages. But something was obviously said at half-time in their quarter-final against the Marauders. They woke up and their performances for rest of day were what we have come to expect. Yet again it was more semi-final anguish for them though against Samurai in another heart-stopper. I would love to see the Wailers upset the boat this weekend and grab a tournament win. The players deserve it for how hard they have worked. It just shows that even a small drop in effort and efficiency at this level sees teams lose.

4. Gilbert Pups

I have to give it to the South-East London guys. Their balance of pace and power with Stephenson stepping for fun in the midfield and Odejobi’s finishing out wide, was superb. But perhaps they started to believe their own hype too soon and were swiftly dispatched by the Army in the semi-final.

The Pups have given us a glimpse of what the National Series is going to be like in two years time, with complete parity between the core sides. They have been on a upward curve all season; losing to the Smurfs in London in the groups, Samurai at West Country and the Army in Manchester in the semis. Is it going to be enough to grab that 4th spot and head to Twickenham? I almost hope so…I just want to see the pink stash at HQ!

5. White Hart Marauders

If the Pups beat the Marauders to fourth place (and that Middlesex qualification) does this signify a changing of the guard? Coming into the Series, everyone talked about the 'Big Four' going on past results and the history. It will go a long way to show that the past has no impact on what’s going on now. This is a new era and everyone is fair game. I really like the way the Marauders have approached this season. Granted they might have wanted a few more big names in their match day twelve but the youngsters have done well. If they keep the side together they will challenge for honours in the coming seasons.

6. The Akuma Smurfs

If these guys turned up during the first half of their games then they would be in the mixer for Twickenham. Twice in Manchester, we saw the first seven minutes of matches let them down. The Smurfs are a really solid outfit but at the moment they are perennial quarter-finalists. They need something extra to go to that next step. The Pups bought in some power to make the difference in Manchester and the Smurfs need to bring in some electric pace. If they had someone that could put the hammer down and really stretch the field of play they would be challenging week in and week out.

7. Apache

I am giving Apache a mulligan for Manchester and keeping them at seventh in the rankings, despite their poor performance. A young and inexperienced side were shown that at National Series level you don't get the chance to try new lads en masse. Unforeseen circumstances meant that Apache had to do this. They have missed some chances this season and really should have beaten Samurai in London and could have sneaked it against the Army in the West Country. If those results had been reversed then their Series story could have looked very different. Alas, this is not the case and Apache need a good weekend to avoid the bottom two. .

8. Olorun ID

Given what I said about Olorun a few weeks back, I was pleasantly surprised by their rejuvenated showings. They played some good rugby in the Pacific Warriors match and with Ricky Thomas they have one of the class playmakers of the Series. They actually defended well against the British Army for 8 or 9 minutes, but let the concentration slip at times letting the Army in for unneeded scores. They were comprehensively beaten by Samurai in the quarters, which was a shame as they pushed them closer at Bury earlier in the year. Olorun will want another quarter-final. It would possibly mean seventh spot overall and they can rebuild stronger for next summer.

9. Raging Bull Ronin

Well done JB and his team. When Ronin pushed The Smurfs and Samurai closer, I really thought we were going to see them achieve something later in the day and they did exactly that. As I have said all along, they are such an honest group of lads and for the first time all Series they were playing with a smile on their faces and this bought them a deserved success in the Plate. Ronin will almost certainly finish in last place in the Series but I am sure with further development of the side and investment we will see them making steps up the ladder next season.

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On Thursday I will publish my last predictions of the Series and how I feel it will all finish up. I am travelling down to the glorious resort of Newquay on Friday and looking forward to what will be another intriguing weekend from a tournament which I have always enjoyed hugely. The National Series is ready for its conclusion!