IRB confirms men's schedule for Dubai

The IRB has confirmed the match schedule in addition to the pool draw for round two of the HSBC Sevens World Series, at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens on 30 November-1 December 2012.

France and Canada will play the opening match of the tournament in Pool D at 09:06 local time on 30 November, and South Africa and Samoa will bring the first day's play to a close.

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Having failed to reach the Cup quarter finals at round one in Australia, defending Dubai champions England face a tough task with pool matches against South Africa and Samoa as well as Portugal.

The early World Series leaders, Gold Coast winners Fiji, top Pool A and face Kenya, Spain and Scotland, while the reigning Series champions New Zealand will be looking to turn around their Dubai fortunes on day one against Argentina, Wales and Russia.

Last year the kiwis suffered a torrid time in Dubai, losing three matches in a row for the first time to finish no better than Plate semi-finalists, but their coach Gordon Tietjens hinted in Australia that they will mount a serious challenge this year.

"We'll bounce back, I've got a little promise that we're going to try and win Dubai this year, we're going to put a lot of emphasis on Dubai and making it a really special tournament," he said after losing the Gold Coast final.

In Pool C in Dubai South Africa line up against Samoa, defending champions England and Portugal, while France head Pool D with matches against Australia, Canada and USA.

Fiji currently lie on 22 points ahead of New Zealand (19), South Africa (17), Kenya (15) and Argentina (13).

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Video: Dubai 2011 highlights show