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Waisale Serevi has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons last week, but his fans will be delighted with the news that the little maestro is making a potential final playing appearance at the 2009 Melrose Sevens - the birthplace of rugby sevens.

Leeds University are the lucky side to have Serevi playing for them in what is an obviously great opportunity for the young students. The Fijian isn’t a ‘ringer’ though with strong links with the institution; they awarded him an honorary doctorate in Sports Science last year. A final appearance at Melrose is the stuff of dreams for a Fijian whose proudest moment was winning 'The Melrose Cup' at the World Cup Sevens.

Serevi is to stay with Craig Chalmers, the former Melrose and Scotland stand-off, who has long been a friend and admirer – and opponent – of the Fijian.

"This is fantastic news for Melrose and the tournament, and for Waisale, who really has been the 'King' of world sevens,” said Chalmers.

"It's a big honour for us and I know Waisale also feels it's a great honour for him. He's a lovely guy and well respected around the world, and I've spoken to him a few times about playing here.

“And he always talks passionately about this being the place that started the sport he loves, the game he really excelled in - he's the same age as me, but obviously his knees have stood up to this game much better than mine!”

"I have never played at Melrose and always said I would love to end my career there," said Serevi.

"I remember Gala – I was 22; it rained and it was very cold there. But a lot of people came down to watch.”

"I would have loved to have seen the IRB World Sevens Series end at Melrose, as was planned some time ago. That did not happen and Murrayfield is a great place to play also, but, for me, sevens started in Melrose and it is where I would like to finish."

Melrose will stage their usual 20-team tournament this year on Saturday 11 April, with all of Scotland’s premier clubs being joined by the likes of the University of Johannesburg and Canadian side Barhaven Scottish, whose current president is former Jed-Forest prop Brian Lyall.

After the success of the 125th anniversary sevens last year, Melrose are also continuing with the giant screen and popular veterans and ladies tournaments, while the youth clinic returns, featuring hundreds of youngsters from across Scotland and led by Jim Telfer, the former Scotland and British and Irish Lions coach.

The Veterans final will be played on the Greenyards this year between the main tournament semi-finals and final, with a host of well-known Scottish faces from the past already lined up to compete. The main stage is being reserved, however, for the 40 year old Fijian magician.

Last year's tournament produced a thrilling 125th celebration of the competition's birth.

In recognition of the landmark, the 2008 event was stretched over three days by the club and brought youths, ladies, veterans and senior sides – more than 500 players – from all across the globe to the Borders town.