Stars on show at Sevens

Zurich Premiership clubs mean business

All 12 Zurich Premiership clubs have shown that they are serious about winning this year's London Pride Middlesex Sevens by spending strong squads to do battle at Twickenham.

Thwy have also thrown in a sprinkling of international in an indication of how this tournament has become an integral part of the top-flight clubs' pre-season schedule.

Last year Northampton Saints became the first Premiership club since 1999 to win the tournament, beating Newcastle Falcons 31-5 in the final.

The squads from around the Premiership include many of the regular England Sevens squad alongside many well known faces from the Zurich Premiership.

The draw offers some thrilling opening matches given the strength of squads named by the professional clubs.

Gloucester's side - which includes England regulars James Simpson-Daniel, Marcel Garvey and James Forrester, and England Sevens star Henry Paul - meets last year's beaten finalists Newcastle Falcons, who boast England youngsters Dave Walder, Jamie Noon and Michael Stephenson - as well as exciting newcomer Mathew Tait who has just been named in England's Elite Playing Squad.

London Irish and NEC Harlequins clash in a rehearsal for their opening Zurich Premiership match. Both clubs have named impressive sides - London Irish have named Paul Sackey, Geoff Appleford and Mark Mapletoft in their squad of ten whilst Quins' squad includes Ugo Monye, Luke Sheriff and Joe Mbu.

The four invitation sides at this year's charity event are the British Army, Rotherham Titans, London Welsh - who face reigning champions Northampton Saints in their opener - and Loughborough University, who meet Zurich Premiership new boys Worcester in the first round.

The Draw:
(All times are local)

1st Round:

1: British Army v Rotherham Titans (11.10)
2: Bath v Leicester Tigers (11.30)
3: London Irish v NEC Harlequins (11.50)
4: Northampton Saints v London Welsh (12.10)
5: Worcester v Loughborough Students (12.30)
6: London Wasps v Leeds Tykes (12.50)
7: Gloucester v Newcastle Falcons (13.10)
8: Saracens v Sale Sharks (13.30)

Quarter-Finals:

9: Winner 1 v Winner 2 (13.50)
10: Winner 3 v Winner 4 (14.10)
11: Winner 5 v Winner 6 (14.30)
12: Winner 7 v Winner 8 (14.50)

Semi-Finals:

13: Winner 9 v Winner 10 (16.10)
14: Winner 11 v Winner 12 (16.30)

Final:

Winner 13 v Winner 14 (17.10)

Tickets for the event at Twickenham on Saturday 14th August are available priced £25 (£10 for juniors) from Ticketmaster on 0871 871 0777 or visit www.londonpridemiddlesex7s.com for more information.