Dates set for 2010/11 IRB Sevens World Series

In the immediate aftermath of Samoa's dramatic first IRB Sevens World Series victory, the International Rugby Board has moved quickly to announce the dates for the eight events in the 2010/11 World Series, starting once again with the two events in Dubai and George, South Africa, in December 2010.

The Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens will kick off the 12th season of the World Series on 3-4 December and once again the season will reach a climax at the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens on 28-29 May 2011.

The World Series will visit five continents over a six month period and with the same tournament Host Unions as the previous four seasons.

The one change from 2009/10 is that Australia's tournament in Adelaide reverts back to the weekend after the Hong Kong Sevens.

"Samoa's achievements this year show just how competitive Rugby Sevens has become on a global scale and I'm sure that the IRB World Series will continue to go from strength to strength," said IRB Chairman, Bernard Lapasset.

"Apart from the unparalleled party atmosphere at each of the events, one of Rugby Sevens' major attractions is the unpredictable nature of the matches. In the last two seasons alone eight countries from four continents have won Cup titles - New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji, Samoa, Australia, Argentina and England all winners on the World Series and Wales at the Rugby World Cup Sevens and we have seen the emergence of other title contenders such as Kenya and USA, who have reached Cup finals.

"That element of the unknown, combined with the players' incredible levels of fitness, skill and camaraderie, makes Sevens such a hit with fans, sponsors and broadcasters all around the world."

2010/11 IRB Sevens World Series

* The 2010 Commonwealth Games Sevens competition will be held in Delhi, India on 11-12 October 2010