Their great rivals Australia have been pitted against Fiji, Scotland and Portugal on home turf in Gold Coast

The first of nine rounds in the World Series is due to be held in the 2018 Commonwealth Games host city on October 11 and 12.

Last season's runners-up South Africa, who won Commonwealth Games gold at Glasgow 2014, will face Kenya, Wales and American Samoa.

The fourth pool, Pool D, pits England with Argentina - who will play the first match of the series - Canada and the United States.

There will be added spice to this season's action, as teams vie for the four direct qualification spots for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Avan Lee, International Rugby Board's general manager for sevens, said: "The 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series promises to be the most exciting season of sevens to date.

"With Olympic qualification at stake, all teams will want to start well in the Gold Coast."

The season also includes stops in Dubai, Hong Kong and Japanese capital Tokyo, with the final leg scheduled for May 16 and 17 at London's Twickenham Stadium.