11 Different Tournaments @ Dubai Rugby Sevens

This year's Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens will not only be celebrating its 40th anniversary, but also the largest number of participants to date. Apart from the 16 international teams taking part in the first leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai, 161 teams will take to the pitches at The Sevens venue from 3-5 December.

"The tournament is at its maximum with more teams than ever before taking part," said Jim Fitzsimons, General Manager of The Sevens & Tournament Rugby Services Manager. "I think this is what makes this tournament so unique - not only do you have the best rugby sevens stars in the world taking part but also thousands of others of varying levels of expertise and limitless enthusiasm for the event. It's a true festival of the sport."

There will be 11 different tournaments taking place on the surrounding pitches at The Sevens. Of particular note at this year's tournament is the number of international women's teams taking part. "There are 10 international women's sides and 12 club sides, so 22 in total which is very exciting to see," added Fitzsimons. "I'm sure we will see an exceptional level of women's rugby with many of the international women's sides made up of players who took part in the Rugby World Cup Sevens earlier this year."

Men's 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai

World Series champions South Africa will kick off the new season by defending the first tournament they won last year. They start as the top seeds in an ultra-competitive international draw, which features 16 nations from five different continents. The Springboks face men's Sevens World Champions Wales, as well as Australia and the hosts Arabian Gulf, in Pool A.

Fiji line up as second seeds in Pool B and face the team that beat them to take Gold at the recent Mini Pacific Games, Samoa, as well as Namibia Sevens finalists Zimbabwe and Scotland.

England, who finished third in last year's overall standings, top Pool C and face tough games against sixth-ranked Kenya, USA and Russia, while eight-time World Series winners New Zealand start as fourth seeds and face three competitive matches in Pool D against the Pumas of Argentina and the dual European challenge of France and Portugal.

Tickets to watch the 161 teams in action are still available at The Sevens ground on the Al Ain Road, Emirates headquarters, the Dnata Travel Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road and numerous Costa and MMI outlets as well as online through clicking here and by calling Ticketline on 8004669.

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