If previous results are anything to go by, Pool C featuring Fiji, Kenya, USA and Scotland looks by far the most competitive at this weekend's Emirates Airline London Sevens.

Given their glorious history in the sport, Fiji enjoy a glowing record against all three of their opponents but recent history has been less one-sided. The Pacific islanders' form was much improved in Hong Kong - where they took the title - and Adelaide, but their form overall this season has been fairly erratic.

Fiji v USA: Against the USA the islanders have won eight times out of 10 encounters, but the Americans won their last match, in Wellington in February.

Fiji v Scotland: The Fijians beat Scotland in Adelaide 33-7, but the Scots do know how it feels to overcome the islanders, having beaten them in Murrayfield last year.

Fiji v Kenya: While Fiji have won all 14 of their World Series matches against Kenya over the last 10 years, the Africans did beat them convincingly in this year's Rugby World Cup Sevens quarter finals.

Ranked sixth in the World Series so far this year, the Kenyans are the best bet to push the Fijians on day one, but they will be taking nothing for granted against the other two sides.

Kenya v Scotland: The African number two side won its last battle with Scotland in Hong Kong, but Scotland have also beaten the African side this season, in Wellington.

Kenya v USA: Kenya and the USA also have a tight history of encounters. Of their 11 matches, Kenya have won six, the USA four and they have drawn once. Amazingly, over that time Kenya have scored 139 points and the USA 138, making the average score between the two 13-13.

The Kenyans won their last match 19-12 in Hong Kong but the Americans need look back only a few months for inspiration, their victory against them to reach the San Diego Cup semi finals.

Scotland v USA: Scotland and USA have an equally close historical record, having each won three of their seven matches. The two sides have played each other in the last two tournaments, Scotland winning 19-17 in their Hong Kong pool and the USA gaining revenge a week later, beating them 24-21 to claim the Shield in Adelaide.

Of the four coaches, USA mastermind Al Caravelli has had to plug the most holes since the last two tournaments. Six of his starting seven for much of this season - Matt Hawkins, Rikus Pretorius, Shalom Suniula, Jone Naciqa, Kevin Swiryn and Justin Boyd - do not make this trip.

Having replaced Chris Wyles as captain just two tournaments ago, and with only eight Sevens tournaments under his belt, Swiryn has been snapped up by national 15-a-side coach Eddie O'Sullivan along with Boyd, their match-winner against Fiji in Wellington, leaving veteran James Gillenwater to captain the side.

"What this does is give these other young men an opportunity to rise to the occasion and their expectations are now much higher," said Caravelli.

"They're saying that these guys before them have got to four quarter finals and a semi, that's what we need to do, it's not acceptable to be happy with a Bowl or a Shield. They've set their goals and if they reach them I've very confident that they'll reach a Cup quarter final."

Pool C low-down

Fiji
 
IRB Sevens World Series 2008/09:
Dubai: Cup SF, lost v South A frica 7-10
George: Cup SF, lost v South Africa 7-21
Wellington: Plate SF, lost v Wales 12-14
San Diego: Cup QF, lost v England 10-12
Hong Kong: Cup Final, won v South Africa 26-24
Adelaide: Cup SF, lost v South Africa 10-21
 
Current Series Position:
3rd, 74 pts
 
London 2008:
Cup Final, lost v Samoa 14-19

Mercurial, brilliant but unpredictable this season, Fiji nevertheless lie third in the series overall and showed glimpses over the past two tournaments that the new young talent is there to reignite their challenge ongoing. A famous victory in Hong Kong will have bought coach Iliesa Tanivula priceless time back at home and here Emosi Vucago's inclusion is a major boost. Nasoni Roko's enduring qualities and try-scoring ability - he has scored 107 for his country - will again be on show, while in the forwards Pio Tuwai has been one of their outstanding players.

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Kenya
 
IRB Sevens World Series 2008/09:
Dubai: Plate Final, lost v Samoa 7-12
George: Bowl SF, lost v France 14-19
Wellington: Cup SF, lost v England 0-24
San Diego: Plate Final, lost v NZ 7-22
Hong Kong: Cup SF, lost v Fiji 7-24
Adelaide: Cup Final, lost v South Africa 7-26
 
Current Series Position:
6th, 58 pts
 
London 2008:
Shield Final, lost v Spain 7-10

In terms of star quality it's difficult to draw a line between the two brothers, outstanding forward and captain Humphrey Kayange and wing Collins Injera, who is now the top try scorer this season with 30. Came closer than ever to winning a first Cup title in Adelaide, losing to South Africa at the final hurdle. If the sun shines expect fireworks.

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USA
 
IRB Sevens World Series 2008/09:
Dubai: Shield Final, won v Argentina 31-7
George: Plate SF, lost v Portugal 7-24
Wellington: Plate SF, lost v South Africa 0-22
San Diego: Cup SF, lost v Argentina 14-19
Hong Kong: Plate QF, lost 21-22 v Wales
Adelaide: Shield Final, won v Scotland 24-21
 
Current Series Position:
9th, 20 points
 
London 2008:
Did not compete

Of the new recruits it will be interesting to see how Tai Enosa adapts to the demands of Sevens. With team-mate Zach Test, the fly half was most recently in action for the Under 20s at the IRB Junior World Trophy in Kenya and has been touted as a future Eagles number 10. Of the rest, PJ Komongnan has come on enormously, Mike Palefau and Alex Ross offer pure speed and new captian James Gillenwater the class to knit things together.

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Scotland
 
IRB Sevens World Series 2008/09:
Dubai: Shield SF, lost v USA 14-17
George: Shield Final, lost v Zimbabwe 0-26
Wellington: Shield Final, won v Niue 26-0
San Diego: Bowl SF, lost v France 12-17
Hong Kong: Plate QF, lost v Tonga 0-29
Adelaide: Shield Final, lost v USA 21-24
 
Current Series Position:
unranked, 0 points
 
Adelaide 2008:
Plate SF, lost v South Africa 12-19

The importance of Thom Evans' return to Stephen Gemmell's side cannot be overstated. Evans first broke onto the scene through the Sevens and his pace gives the Scots the kind of edge they have lacked all season. Hefin O'Hare is again involved, having impressed in his first two events, and Ally Hogg's inclusion as a 48-times-capped test veteran speaks volumes of the team's ambitions and willingness to finish the season on a high, especially with their home tournament coming up next weekend at Murrayfield.