The pools and match schedule have been announced for the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens at Murrayfield on 29-30 May, the final leg of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series.

The event follows one week after the Emirates Airline London Sevens at Twickenham and hosts Scotland have been handed three tough pool games against Fiji, USA and Wales.

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After the first six events in Dubai, South Africa, New Zealand, USA, Australia and Hong Kong, Samoa currently lead the World Series by three points from eight-time winners New Zealand.

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As a result the Samoans are also top seeds in the 16-team Murrayfield tournament with New Zealand, Australia and the USA also heading a pool based on results from the last two tournaments.

While Samoa will play Argentina, Kenya and France in Pool A, New Zealand line up against reigning Series champions South Africa, Italy and Russia in Pool B.

Australia will take on England, Canada and Portugal in Pool C and the USA will play defending Edinburgh champions Fiji as well as Wales and the hosts Scotland in Pool D.

"It's always an unbelievable experience to be involved with any Scotland team playing at Murrayfield and the last two years have been truly memorable in terms of the results and performances that we've had at home," said Scotland Sevens coach Stephen Gemmell.

"The crowd has had a massive impact on that and you see that when you go around the world - all of the teams playing at home raise their level and we have done that and hope to do it again this year.

"USA have been magnificent this year and deservedly reached their first final in Adelaide, Fiji are sitting third in the rankings and are the team that everybody associates with international Sevens and they've played some magnificent stuff this year already, and Wales the World Cup holders who we know very well because we've traditionally done hit-outs (training) against them, they've been disappointed with some of their results this year and will be out with a point to prove, so it's a difficult pool but it always seems to have been that way at Murrayfield and maybe we're suited to being the so-called underdogs and using that as a motivation," added Gemmell.

IRB Sevens Manager Beth Coalter added: "Once again this year the Series will reach its climax in Scotland, the birthplace of Sevens, and it is anyone's guess who will be crowned overall champion with things so tight at the top."

"Without question, this has been the most competitive Series to date and the top two will also be looking over their shoulders at the challengers, including Scotland who have performed superbly in Edinburgh in recent times.

"Rugby Sevens' Olympic inclusion has already brought a marked increase in profile for the sport and many of the teams will doubtless already have half an eye on the Commonwealth Games, in Delhi in October, so there will be a lot to play for the players at Murrayfield."

Tickets

Tickets are available at www.edinburgh7s.com by calling the 24-hour Ticket Hotline - 0844 335 3933 or in person from the Murrayfield Ticket Centre, Gate A, Roseburn Street, Edinburgh (open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday).

Ticket prices
Adult one day advance ticket - £15 (£20 on the day)
One day student and under-18 - £10 and £5
Senior citizen one day - £10
Family one day advance ticket - £35 (two adults & two children)
All tickets are ANY DAY tickets - valid for either day of the event
Tickets for the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s are available to buy on match day

Video: Highlights - Edinburgh Sevens 2009 (26 mins)