Top Rugby Nations confirmed for 2007 Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens

- USA named in elite line-up as South Africa seek back-to-back glory in Dubai -

Dubai, UAE, August 28^th, 2007: Defending Champions South Africa and two-time winners England will head an impressive line-up of the world's best Sevens nations at this year's Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.

Also in the mix will be 2006/2007 IRB Sevens World Series champions New Zealand and the flying Fijians who impressed throughout last season to make four finals appearances.

Adding extra spice to the tournament will be the return of the USA who will compete in the Dubai Rugby Sevens for the first time in almost a decade.

Nigel Melville, USA Rugby's CEO and President of Rugby Operations, is thrilled his team will be back in the thick of it when the IRB Series gets underway at the Dubai Exiles Rugby Club on November 30^th.

Melville said: "USA Rugby is delighted to be back playing in the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, a tournament which will undoubtedly present our developing Sevens squad with a massive challenge."

"Developing new players for our national team is a priority, one that can be achieved by playing Sevens and we can't wait to play our part in this year's tournament in Dubai."

The Eagles' return to the Middle East's premier rugby event sets up an intriguing battle with the world's top rugby nations.

Among those who will be standing in their way will be Paul Treu's classy South African outfit who enjoyed the spoils last year against New Zealand, winning the final 31-12.

Treu said: "The Dubai Rugby Sevens is always such a fantastic way to begin the IRB Sevens World Series and we are very much looking forward to the tournament starting."

"The line-up is again an impressive one and we are expecting another huge challenge from world-class teams who will all be looking to get their campaigns off to the best possible start."

Treu knows too well that the South Africans won't have it all their own way.

The likes of Samoa, champions of last season's Hong Kong and New Zealand Sevens tournaments, will be gunning for the top prize and hoping to improve on the Plate trophy they secured over France in Dubai last year.

Argentina, France, Canada and Wales will also be among the contenders keen to get their hands on the prestigious Emirates International Trophy.

Gary Chapman, President Group Services and Dnata, Emirates Group, said: "We have a phenomenal international line-up this year and we are looking forward to seeing the teams turn on another entertaining display of top-class Sevens rugby."

"The Dubai Rugby Sevens has grown into one of the world's leading Sevens tournaments and spectators are guaranteed of seeing some great rugby mixed with one of the biggest party atmospheres in the Middle East."

The award-winning event will once again give the local amateurs of the Arabian Gulf a chance to go head to head with the world's best. Last year, the Arabian Gulf had a morale boosting 10-7 win over Kenya, who will also return to Dubai along with Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Scotland and Australia.

The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens runs over three days with local, regional and international teams kicking off the event on the Thursday (November 29), and is followed by the two-day IRB tournament on Friday (November 30) and Saturday (December 1).

For further details please visit www.dubairugby7s.com