Bordeaux show set to intoxicate

IRB World Sevens series reaches penultimate leg

Five teams go into the penultimate tournament of the IRB Sevens series in Bordeaux this weekend knowing that a Cup win would give them a good shot at lifting the title when the season reaches its climax at the final leg at Twickenham on June 5/6.

With 20 points guaranteed for the Cup winners in France - and only six points separating the top three teams  - New Zealand, England, South Africa, Argentina and Fiji are all within sight of the 2003/04 crown.

Leaders New Zealand face a tricky opening round in Bordeaux, and will face hosts France - the team that defeated them in the Cup quarter-final in Singapore a matter of weeks ago.

Australia and Kenya find themselves in England's group - and both sides are capable of beating anyone on their day.

Fiji have been drawn against last-leg winners South Africa, whilst Argentina - who were unlucky to lose that Singapore final to the Boks in extra time - are joined by Samoa, Georgia and Italy in Pool D.

IRB SEVENS BORDEAUX - MAY 28/29:

POOL A:
New Zealand 
France 
Canada 
Russia 

POOL B:
England 
Australia 
Kenya 
Spain

POOL C:
South Africa 
Fiji   
Scotland  
Portugal 

POOL D:
Argentina  
Samoa
Georgia
Italy

PLAYING SCHEDULE - DAY 1:
(All times local: GMT plus 2)

12.00: Argentina v Georgia
12.22: Samoa v Italy
12.44: South Africa v Scotland
13.06: Fiji v Portugal
13.28: England v Kenya
13.50: Australia v Spain
14.12: New Zealand v Canada
14.34: France v Russia
14.56: Argentina v Italy
15.18: Samoa v Georgia
15.40: South Africa v Portugal
16.02: Fiji v Scotland
16.24: England v Spain
16.46: Australia v Kenya
17.08: New Zealand v Russia
17.30: France v Canada
17.52: Georgia v Italy
18.14: Scotland v Portugal
18.36: Kenya v Spain
18.58: Canada v Russia
20.00: Argentina v Samoa
20.22: South Africa v Fiji
20.44: England v Australia
21.06: New Zealand v France

PLAYING SCHEDULE - DAY 2:

12.00: Match 25: Bowl QF - 3rd Pool A v 4th Pool B
12.22: Match 26: Bowl QF - 3rd Pool D v 4th Pool C
12.44: Match 27: Bowl QF - 3rd Pool C v 4th Pool D
13.06: Match 28: Bowl QF - 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A
13.28: Match 29: Cup QF - 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B
13.50: Match 30: Cup QF - 1st Pool D v 2nd Pool C
14.12: Match 31: Cup QF - 1st Pool C v 2nd Pool D
14.34: Match 32: Cup QF - 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A
15.40: Match 33: Shield SF -  Loser Match 25 v Loser Match 26
16.02: Match 34: Shield SF - Loser Match 27 v Loser Match 28
16.24: Match 35: SF Bowl - Winner Match 25 v Winner Match 26
16.46: Match 36: SF Bowl - Winner Match 27 v Winner Match 28
17.08: Match 37: SF Plate - Loser Match 29 v Loser Match 30
17.30: Match 38: SF Plate - Loser Match 31 v Loser Match 32
17.52: Match 39: SF Cup - Winner Match 29 v Winner Match 30
18.14: Match 40: SF Cup - Winner Match 31  v Winner Match 32
20.05: Match 41: Shield Final - Winner Match 33 v Winner Match 34
20.35: Match 42: Bowl Final - Winner Match 35 v Winner Match 36
21.05: Match 43: Plate Final - Winner Match 37 v Winner Match 38
21.35: Match 44: Cup Final - Winner Match 39 v Winner Match 40

CURRENT STANDINGS:

1: New Zealand - 92 points
2: England - 86
3: South Africa - 86
4: Argentina - 78
5: Fiji - 60
6: Samoa - 52
7: France - 33
8: Australia - 24
9: Canada - 18
10: Tonga - 8  
11: Kenya - 8  
12: Scotland - 6    
13: Korea - 2    
14: Cook Islands - 1

POINTS:

Cup winner - 20 points
Cup runner-up - 16
Cup semi-finalists - 12

Plate winner - 8
Plate runner-up - 6
Plate semi-finalists - 4

Bowl winner - 2