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Samurai International and the British Army are preparing for one final surge for the overall National Sevens Series title on Saturday (July 17) at the final leg in Newquay.

Samurai, winners of the first two events at RugbyRocks and the West Country, currently lead the Series by eight points from the servicemen.

The Army, victors at the previous leg in Manchester, must realistically win the Cup to have any hopes of stopping Samurai becoming champions.

If they 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.

Samurai can confirm themselves as victors of the inaugural Series by making Saturday’s Cup final.
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 third place (36 points) looking certain of their place with White Hart Marauders (32), Gilbert Pups (32) and Akuma Smurfs (30) all battling it out.
 

Team News

Group A:

The British Army welcome back Fiji international and playmaker Jack Prasad back into what’s becoming a familiar looking squad. Alex Yamoyamo is also included with the side again led by the inspirational Gerhard Wessels.

Also in Group A are the Akuma Smurfs who keep faith in the majority of the side that have made every Cup quarter-final so far. Player-manager Nathan Williams is an important player along with the dangerous Alex Walker.

Apache are boosted by the return of Cambridge Blues Sandy Reid and James Greenwood. Newquay Surf Sevens tournament organiser James Hawken is restored as is hard hitting forward Luke Burns.

Group B:

Samurai have been struck by player unavailability and injury. England Sevens Assistant Coach, Russell Earnshaw, was set to take the reins for the leaders on Saturday but has now been replaced by Mark Hewitt.

Ever-present captain Mark Bright again leads a side that includes a number of players from London Welsh. World Cup Sevens winner Lee Beach is drafted in with with fly-half Rob Lewis and Errie Claassens.

Manchester Plate winners Raging Bull Ronin continue to be one of the most consistent sides from a selection standpoint. One notable change is a transfer for Chris Morgans from Olorun ID. Kamikaze are set to make their National Series debut as guests, with the side enjoying numerous successes on the UK Open level circuit.
 

Group C:

The Gilbert Pups will again rely the likes of Esher’s Neville Edwards and James Stephenson with Josh Fowles continuing to impress following a transfer from the Wailers.

Arabian Gulf star Jonny MacDonald has been called up by Olorun ID with half-backs Danny Pointon and England’s Ollie Frost back into the side after an absence in Manchester. Winger Jaike Carter is also recruited by Manager Alex Taylor with the team looking to build on their inaugural quarter-final from Manchester.

Local Cornish interest will come from guest team the Handstand Harlequins. The side boasts seven players from Redruth and four representatives from National One’s Launceston. The side is associated with the Handstand charity which seeks to raise funds for 2-year-old Marshall Johnson in his rehabilitation from Meningitis.

Group D:

HFW Wailers have arguably assembled their strongest squad to the beach resort. Many of their regulars are present such as Scott Riddell (C), Tyson Lewis and the Smales brothers. Aaron Meyers is unavailable but Scotland international Peter Jericevich and Newcastle’s Seb Visser step in. 

Flying Welsh Sevens star Alex Cuthbert makes his first appearance of the season for the White Hart Marauders joined by fellow international Ifan Evans. One notable omission is Miles Mantella with Charlie Walker again unable to play due to England Under-18 commitments in South Africa.

French flair will be provided by Toulouse-based guests Froggies who boat a rich history of participation on the international invitational sevens stage. Florent Gibouin with IRB Sevens experience is a crucial player for the visitors, who will look to match countrymen Les Bleus who won the Plate in the West Country.

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 - Newquay Surf 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)