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The British Army and Samurai International are ready for another potential showdown as the inaugural National Sevens Series reaches a conclusion at this Saturday’s Newquay Surf Sevens.

Samurai holds an eight point advantage from the servicemen and head to Cornwell favourites to lift the overall title.

The Army, winners at the previous leg in Manchester, must look to win in Newquay and hope Samurai get knocked out in the quarter or semi-finals.

The top two seeds have met in the last two finals and could well again clash this weekend at the Newquay Sports Centre.

“I was over the moon with the Manchester win,” enthused Army coach Chris Brown.

“We will take masses of confidence heading into Newquay. A tournament win and a scalp against Samurai gives us that boost. Our energies are just wholly focused on Newquay and the Series.

“It’s in Samurai’s hands but we will be going flat out for that win.”

The Army are defending champions at Newquay beating the White Hart Marauders in last year’s final. Although this is the obviously the first time the event has hosted National Series rugby.

Brown admits industrious preparation and determination, rather than an overhaul of tactics, have been the key to the Army’s surge.

“We didn’t change that much in terms of strategy for Manchester. It was just building blocks and stepping stones and eventually it all fell into place. I think the guys deserved it.

“The effort and work that went into that win was superb. It just solidified what we’ve been trying to do for the last few months,” added Brown.

Samurai poised for Series win

Samurai were winners at the opening two legs of the Series at London’s RugbyRocks and the West Country Sevens.

Director of Rugby, Mike Friday, says despite not winning at Manchester finishing as runners-up edges his side closer to glory. The former England Sevens coach also claims the close finals are making the National Series exciting spectacles.

“The interesting thing is that you have to be clocking up the points at every leg.”

“We didn’t win in Manchester but we are one step nearer and take that advantage into Newquay. It’s all about ending it in style down there,” added Friday

“Without doubt it (Manchester) was an exciting final, end-to-end stuff. It’s been like that throughout the whole Series making it a fine spectacle.

In the last two finals the breakdown has been a hugely competitive area and Friday feels that it will be again be vital if the top two meet again.

“The margins are slim but that is sevens for you. The contact area is fiercely contested whenever you meet the Army and will again be an interesting part of the game if we meet them again.”

Friday will be handing the Samurai reins back to England Sevens Assistant Coach Russell Earnshaw at Newquay. Earnshaw successfully oversaw the squad in the opening two rounds.

With some key players, such as Simon Hunt, missing in recent weeks the leaders are hoping to assemble a powerful squad to close out the Series.

“The core of the guys in Manchester have done really well throughout the Series but I’m sure we will look to bring some boys back for Newquay.

“We feel we are getting pushed all the time from all the teams which is a great thing for the Series as a whole,” added Friday.