Sevens Time again …. Now that 99% of the EOYT Test Matches have been completed we again move on the the sevens and a trip back to Dubai this weekend. So here we go with the Pool profiles as seen at IRB.COM
Dubai Pool C profile: ENG, FIJ, CAN, USA
We run the rule over the four men’s teams in Pool C at the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens, England, Fiji, Canada and USA
England 
Coach: Simon Amor
Last 10 games: LWLWWWLWLW
Gold Coast 2013: 3rd
2013/14 position (after 1 round): 3
Best in Dubai (since ’99): Champions 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011
Head to heads day one: HERE >>
Dubai 2012: Shield winners
2012/13 Series: 6th
Impressive on the Gold Coast under new coach Simon Amor with wins over Fiji and South Africa. Amor blooded Phil Burgess in Australia and now hands a debut to former Under 20 captain, Alex Gray. Jeff Williams is also back and watch out for Marcus Watson who will want to impress having been 13th man last time out. Last year Dubai proved their worst round, winning the Shield, but they have pedigree here, winning in 2010 and 2011.
Prediction: Likely to reach at least Cup semi-final.
Fiji 
Coach: Ben Ryan
Last 10 games: WLWWWWLLWW
Gold Coast 2013: Plate winners
2013/14 position (after 1 round): 5
Best in Dubai (since ’99): Runners-up 2005, 2007
Head to heads day one: HERE >>
Dubai 2012: Cup quarter finals
2012/13 Series: 3rd
First real selection by new coach Ben Ryan and four players have their debuts in Dubai, while Pio Tuwai returns. In all there are six changes from Gold Coast, where they won the Plate with victory over Kenya. Not one player in this squad was here last year so the past is irrelevant!
Prediction: Have never won the Dubai Sevens since the IRB Series started. Could it be the first time?
Canada 
Coach: Geraint John
Last 10 games: LLLLLWWWWL
Gold Coast 2013: Bowl runners-up
2013/14 position (after 1 round): 10
Best in Dubai (since ’99): Plate runners-up 2012
Head to heads day one: HERE >>
Dubai 2012: Plate runners-up
2012/13 Series: 13th
Eight players are back from the Gold Coast, where they won two of their pool games and were perhaps unlucky not to make the Cup quarters, eventually losing the Bowl final to France. They have experience in Phil Mack and Ciaran Hearn but many of them may be tired, having played in a big test match against Portugal at the weekend in Lisbon.
Prediction: With England and Fiji to contend with they will need to hit their straps to make it through. If they don’t, they’re as good as anyone in a Bowl draw.
USA 
Coach: Matt Hawkins
Last 10 games: WLWLLLWLWW
Gold Coast 2013: Shield winners
2013/14 position (after 1 round): 13
Best in Dubai (since ’99): Cup quarter-finals 2010
Head to heads day one: HERE >>
Dubai 2012: Bowl semi final
2012/13 Series: 11th
I guess it’s been too difficult to be both player and coach at the same time, and so Matt Hawkins has decided to sit this one out and stay on the touch line. Last season finished well with two Plate wins and one Plate runners-up spot in the last three tournaments, but the Gold Coast was a disappointment. It will be interesting to see how the new players go in Dubai – alongside the class of Nick Edwards and Zack Test – and whether Carlin Isles gets to start any games.
Prediction: Even with Niua coming back, with Fiji and England in the Pool round it’s a tough ask. The Bowl looks most likely but you never know.
(IRB.COM)
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