DUBAI: The final draw on Monday for the most exciting rugby event in the world set the stage for the blood sweat and cheers of the Rugby World Cup 7s. The event kicks off for the first time in the Gulf region on March 5. Setting another first, 16 women’s national teams will play in the tournament which will be staged in the superb new custom-built stadium complex “The Sevens” for three days which will see two world champions emerge at its close. Held once ever four years, the event is keenly followed by millions of fans worldwide and the new venue in Dubai adds a special cache for aficionados from the Northern Hemisphere nations looking for some winter sun.

Bernard Lapasset, the chairman of Rugby World Cup Limited, with Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein and Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group made the draw, which set the team pools. “Now the draw is complete, we can turn our attention to kickoff,” said Lapasset. “Dubai has a rich history of delivering exceptional Sevens tournaments. Fans can look forward to a tournament that will deliver world-class rugby on the pitch and incredible entertainment for all the family off. It is an event not to be missed.” This year’s event will be particularly hard fought. Only three teams have won a world title; Fiji, always the key team to beat, have won twice (1997 and 2008). The blood will be up to dethrone the reigning champions and prospects are shaping up for a real rugby thriller. As host rugby union, the Arabian Gulf competes by right and are joined in Pool A by New Zealand (2001 winners) Tonga and Italy. Fiji lines up with France, US and Georgia in Pool B as they attempt to become the first side successfully to defend the Melrose (World) Cup following their success in Hong Kong four years ago. International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series leaders South Africa face Scotland, Canada and Japan challenging their authority in Pool C. “While both draws look extremely competitive, I am especially looking forward to watching the inaugural women’s competition,” said Lapasset.

“The women’s game is experiencing unprecedented global growth at the moment and standards are rising year on year. It is going to be extremely difficult to call who will be crowned the first Women’s Rugby World Cup champions.”

The first ever women’s competition with 16 teams having come through a competitive qualifying process involving 83 nations across the IRB’s six regions, will be a sure fire hit. Always fiercely competitive, the game produces tough and textbook rugby of the highest order. England, the top seeds in the women’s competition, face of against Japan, Russia and USA in Pool B, while second seeds and Oceania champions Australia Pool A take on in The Netherlands, France and China.

The annual Dubai 7s event is invariably a sellout and so tickets for the world sevens are expected to be hard to get. With the attractions of the terrific new venue and the women’s event added to the already well-established World Cup, the organizers expect record crowds.

The Dubai 7s in November was the best attended ever; the World Cup looks set to eclipse it. Rugby Sevens is an entirely different kind game from the 15-a-side variety and is hugely exciting. Matches are played seven minutes a half and rely of the speed, dexterity and agility of the players.

A match that looks to be over with just a few seconds can be turned around by a dropped ball or missed tackle that reverses the anticipated result. Players need a different set of skills from their 15-a-side game counterparts but some exceptional athletes play in both disciplines.

Men’s Draw:

Pool A: New Zealand, Tonga, Arabian Gulf, Italy; Pool B: Fiji, France, USA, Georgia; Pool C: South Africa, Scotland, Canada, Japan; Pool D: Samoa, Australia, Portugal, Ireland; Pool E: England, Kenya, Tunisia, Hong Kong; Pool F: Argentina, Wales, Zimbabwe, Uruguay.

Women’s Draw:

Pool A: Australia, The Netherlands, France, China; Pool B: England, Japan, Russia, USA

Pool C: Canada, Brazil, Spain, Thailand; Pool D: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Uganda.