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21:09

That all from Day 1 in Dubai. It's been very much a hors d'oevre vibe before the main show tomorrow and Friday. I'm off to get a new back as sitting on a concrete step for 5 hours isn't ideal for you. No real shocks apart from France seeing of the USA I suppose. Join me tomorrow for all the live action. Ciao for now!

Full Day 1 summary coming up shortly.

21:03

South Africa v Japan

Dazell runs a neat angle off prop Frankie Horne and then it’s the helmeted Gio Aplan who is one of the sharpest around who goes in. Japanese littered with some Islanders and aren’t backing down though and Leitch is cynically tripped by Ebersohn – who sees Yellow. Doesn’t affect the Boks though with Benjamin stylishly flipping an inside ball to Horne before the half. 19-5 to SA.

It’s all gone to pot in this half with the Japanese fearlessly flying into hits disrupting the Boks’ rhythm. Sub Zangqa takes the game by scruff of the neck stepping inside from a scrum. But Japan have the last laugh when their best player by a mile –Tupuailei - puts in a brutal hand-off and sneaks in.

Result: South Africa 26 Japan 5

20:48

Final game of the day see’s the IRB Sevens Series co-leaders South Africa tackle the Japanese – some serious flyers on show there. The Boks’ opening World Cup fixture in 2005 saw them losing out to minnows Tunisia. Unlikely to happen again…I’ll do a naked lap round the pitch if the Japanese do one on them here.

20:40

Fiji v Georgia

Big physicality from the off as Nanuku and Nalaga who smash through some courageous Georgian bodies for an early brace. Oh hello, some NBA flair from Shkinin and a Serevi-esque hitch-kick from Kvirikashvili reduces the deficit. Kvirikashvili really is the new Serevi with an awesome a step inside, and chip over the hapless Fijian sweeper and we have a ball game folks. 12-10 @ the half.

The defending champions withstand a Georgian barrage of direct boshes and a turnover releases Delasau –who ain’t slow and runs in from his own 22 for T.R.Y. 19-10. Fair play to Georgia they are showing real talent great to watch and they have definitely had the better of the possession but Fiji have soaked it up and Rokodiva takes advantage to confirm the win with a well taken try. .

Result: Fiji 26 Georgia 10

20:19

Defending champs Fiji have had a troublesome few months following Serevi’s sacking but have called upon some big names who ply their trade overseas such as Delasau and Satala for Dubai. Along with NZ the Fijians have scored the most RWC tries in history. Georgia impressed at the Euro Champs last summer but this could be a long 14 minutes.

20:16

New Zealand v Italy

Early cat and mouse from the men in black but it’s not long before the powerful Wasaseduadua (that was painful) races in early doors. Slap tackles don’t work Italy as Pace finds to his detriment and it’s 14-0. Kiwis mean business here some brutal hits, Grant capitalises on the spill to go under the posts – plus facile no?

Inspirational leader DJ Forbes is back with a bang from his injury worries supporting superbly for a 7 pointer – 1000th RWC points now for the Kiwis. Wasaseduadua going blind from a scrum bags his second. Vito first touch sees him link with Forbes and Tuoro with the latter scoring and that’s curtains…

Result: New Zealand 42 Italy 0

19:57

England perhaps using their second strip there as it appears half of them had their number inked in with felt-tip pens...looking good boys.

New Zealand/Italy coming up. It’s been an injury fiasco for the Kiwi coach Gordon Tietjens (very much the Sir Alex Fergusen of international sevens) of late and Umaga Marshall pulled out yesterday, seeing Savea bought in. One of the supposed stars for this RWC Super 14’s Victor Vito has also been troubled with a calf and is doubtful. Still a fairly impossible gig for the Italians though I’d say?!

19:52

England v Hong Kong

England playing their usual direct and aggressive approach. But soon taking a leaf out of the England 15’s handbook with a supposed deliberate knock-on from Kev Barrett seeing him sent him to the bin – looked harsh. HK take advantage with a quick ‘tap n score’ but Tom Biggs levels things soon after cutting in off his wing with aplomb. 7-5 England @ oranges.

About time too England line-out ball spread far left to Varndell who lights up 70m of Dubai turf. Lovely chip ahead from Barrett who collects, pops, then admires Gollings coast in for 21-5. Genius from Gollings going up the short-side and jinking home, Replacement Drauniniu and Varndell put the finishing touches and it’s all too easy for Ben Ryan’s boys.

Result: England 42 – Hong Kong 5

19:32

England open their account now and are many peoples tip to be lifting the Melrose Cup come Saturday night. Looking forward to see Varndell stretch his leg too – described by New Zealand coach as the fastest ‘thing’ he’d seen on a rugby pitch a few years back. Hong Kong are their opponents here and is a damage limitation job or can they pull something out the blue?

19:29

Confirmation from P2 that Samoa begin their campaign with little problems with a ruthless 35-5 dispatching of Ireland.

19:26

Random Sevens Fact: International Sevens players can lose up to 3kgs in one lung-bursting 14 minute game.

19:25

Stadium coming alive now. Ceremony is awash with somersaulting gymnasts, some golden tin foil wrapped clad female dancers and camels walking round the ground - not the first time I have seen that actually, Saracens occasionally cart camel type things around the mighty Vicarage Road – up the Sarries! Only thing that’s spoiling it now is the ghastly cheese filled pop music from circa 1999 – Poor.

18:48

Good news for French fans over on P2 as they beat the Americans 26-17, not ideal start for Al Caravelli’s boys who had very high hopes coming into this. The lights are on as the sun sets here in the desert! Not the greatest crowd really as today clashes with the richest horse race in the world at the Dubai festival where most of the locals seem to be. Opening Ceremony coming up…

18:42

Argentina v Uruguay

Caceres declines an early 4 on 1 and smashes over himself, before leading IRB Sevens try-scorer Santiago Comez Cora scoots in on the far side after Amorosino fixes his man expertly. Camacho scores before Uruguay’s little Crosa gasses in for a lung bursting 80 yard dash. 19-7 @ Lucozade-time.

Pumas are a smart side, backing their well oiled line out and kicking for the corners when given penalties. This is a worst spectacle then the last game time, with the Pumas bee like defence swarming over their fellow South-Americans. Game Over – that was painful.

Result: Argentina 19 Uruguay 7

18:23

Dubai has recruited from Australia for their cheerleaders and yes ‘I do like the way they move’. Met some of them yesterday they were all delightful and for soap fans they are randomly being chaperoned by “Stuart Parker’. I can confirm he’s got rid of that awful facial hair. Pitch 2 update and it’s Australia 24 Portugal 12.

18:21

Our first look at one of the genuine big boys sees Argentina’s ‘ Pumas’ square off against Uruguay’s ‘Los Teros’. Pumas have got a bit of a swagger about them following their gutsy win in San Diego, whereas Uruguay beat Kenya in San Diego a couple of weeks ago so aren’t phased by the so called ‘big guns’. Few shrills from the females around the joint now with most of this lot looking like they belong in a Enrique Iglesias video.

18:19

Arabian Gulf v Tonga

Early pressure from the hosts but some sloppy handling costs them with nerves perhaps a factor. Tonga suck it up though and a lovely pick up scoop from Malupo feeds the bearded beast Ma’afu for the score. Deep into over-time Kailea’s takes advantage of a tired looking Gulf with a screaming break and Moimoi goes in. 12-0 and that’s drinks.

When Tonga click they can match anyone, a lovely scything step from Poteki and that’s 19-0. Scrappy affair I’m afraid, not much to report apart form a whistle ref in Jean Luc Rebollal and some poor handling

Result: Tonga 19 Arabian Gulf 0

17:58

The hosts, Arabian Gulf, are next up on the big stage and face the brutish physicality of the Tongans. AG will fancy their chances if the Tongans get a bit hot headed and start to get a tad disjointed. Crowd coming to life now with expectation rife for the local boys. Main fancy-dress day is Friday and Saturday but a group of rather rotund individuals aimlessly waft past in various Superhero guises.

17:58

Random Sevens Fact: There are only two players to have ever won the both the 7s and 15s World Cups…Englishmen Lawrence Dallaglio and Matt Dawson.

17:54

Scotland v Canada

Good start from the Candians keeping it simple, being patient and eventually finding Scottish space to put in three early tries – Mensah-Coker looking particularly powerful. Scots looking flimsier then a Phil Tufnell forward defensive here with Meechan finding a huge midfield gap. Van der Mrwe then coasts in from 50 after a Scottish spill and it’s carnage out there.

Scots typically are gritty till the end and are starting to make some hits now get some wee consolation from Colin Gregor finishing off two breakouts to bag a 2nd half brace - but it’s far from respectable still.

Result: Scotland 14 – Canada 33.

17:35

News from P2 and apart from a hooter fiasco (apparently the players stopped when they heard it go from this pitch) Wales beat Zimbabwe 31-5.

Scotland’s bravehearts tackle those ‘hard hitting/not afraid to rough you up’ Canadians next. Both have reached a RWC Sevens Quarter Finals so they are no mugs. Not the glitziest of the sides assembled here but with South Africa also in their group this is a potential six pointer.

17:09

First up here on main-stage P1 is the all-African affair with serious title contenders Kenya taking on Tunisia. They have met in the World Cup once before with the Kenyans taking it 22-12 back in 2005. Should be a breeze for captain Humphrey Kayange and his charges although those stattos out will remember Tunisia’s stunning win over South Africa at the opening game of the 2005 event…

Shaky shaky from Kenya (forgot to mention they are notoriously slow starters) as an early break by Tunisia from a Kenyan penalty sees good hands to Abess Kherfani who dots down. Captain Kayange takes responsabilty skinning his man nearside touchline and then good work from Onyango who pops inside delightfully to Collins Injera who casts in. 10-7 @ Oranges.

Good strength from Benedict Nyambu feeding the leading IRB try scorer this season that man Injera and there’s now some Kenyan daylight now. Jinking feet from Ashioya puts in hat-trick man Collins Injera and the provider now turns scorer when Ashioya wrestles over on the far side it’s 29-7.

Result - Kenya 29 Tunisia 7.

16:58

For Day 1 though it’s strictly an all-male cast as the first 12 pool matches are to be played, the top six seeds should all progress relatively untroubled past their opening day challenges – but after what I have witnessed this season you just never do know. So buckle up for any potential shocks…they will happen over the three days, that I can (almost) guarantee you!

Ground filling up pretty slowly with Friday and Saturday the big ones really. Although Heymann has been mixing it with messers Lomu and Dallaglio earlier this afternoon, who are to help promote the sport’s push for Olympic inclusion.

16:47

Most of the action over the three days will take place right in front of me here on Pitch 1 (P1) and that will be the focus of our attention. There are some games taking place on the pitch adjacent on Pitch 2 (P2) and I will of course give regular updates to whatever happens there!

‘The Sevens’ venue is my home for the next few days and it’s frankly awesome! This new specialist sevens all-purpose built ground, catering for 40,000 well lubricated, fancy dressed fans, all right smack bang in the middle of desert! Ideal! It really is in the middle of no-where, my taxi man (they are useless out here) thought I was slightly mental when I told him where I wanted taking (Al Ain Road if you're asking).

14:58

It’s here folks, it’s finally here…….The 5th instalment of the Rugby World Cup Sevens has crept up on us and this one promises to the best yet in my humble opinion. Bored of the 6 Nations mediocrity? Bogged down in your ELVs? Stuck in an office in terribly mundane 9-5 job? Then escape to the desert with us - as we have three days of sun and scintillating sevens on tap here, courtesy of the unique UR7S Live Text Commentary.

As far as the men are concerned we are currently witnessing the most open IRB Sevens World Series season yet with six or sevens teams realistically all trying to grapple the Melrose Cup away from holders Fiji. This is the also a massive milestone for the women too, as 83 international women’s team now skittled down to just 16 - all vying for the inaugural Women’s World Cup.