Early pace-setters Fiji, who are also the current Dubai Sevens champions, will be looking to carry on their momentum as they head Pool A where they will face Argentina, France and Brazil

The Brazilians are the invited team in Dubai and while they are not sweating on qualification for rugby sevens' Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016 - they are automatically qualified as hosts - they will be keen to test themselves against the world's best as preparations continue for the Games.

For the rest of the sides in Dubai, vital points are at stake as the battle for a top-four finish in the race to Rio continues.

Reigning World Series champions New Zealand will be keen to get their campaign back on track after a disappointing opening round in Gold Coast that saw them fail to make at least the semi-final of the main Cup competition for the first time since Dubai in 2011.

The All Blacks have been drawn in Pool B alongside Gold Coast runners-up Samoa, as well as Scotland and Japan.

Samoa coach Viliamu Punivalu will be keen to go one better in Dubai after finishing as runners-up in Gold Coast ©AFP/Getty Images



England overcame South Africa to finish third in Gold Coast and Simon Amor's side lead Pool C and will take on old rivals Australia, while Gold Coast bowl winners United States will also provide a stiff test alongside Kenya.

The Springboks will take on Wales, Portugal and Canada, who will be buoyed by their comprehensive 47-0 win over Kenya in the Shield final in Gold Coast.

The 50,000 capacity Sevens Stadium will be the stage for the tournament in Dubai, the second of nine stops on the calendar, which takes place on December 5 and 6.

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