The tournament has expanded to sixteen teams this season with the addition of the Ospreys, Dragons, British Army and National One promotion contenders Leeds Carnegie.

The expanded format means the tournament reverts to a knockout competition, with first round losers being entered into the Plate competition.

As the precursor to the new season, the Middlesex Sevens has a developed a proud history of announcing new talent onto the domestic stage.

Last season one of the finds of the tournament was Worcester Warriors’ wing Miles Benjamin. The 20 year-old helped take Worcester into the Sevens final, before making his Guinness Premiership against Leicester Tigers two months later.

Benjamin scored nine tries in just 15 league appearances for Worcester, making him the third top scorer in the league in his debut season. Benjamin was then part of the England Under-20 squad that progressed to the final of the Junior World Championships, scoring four tries in the process.

Benjamin’s Worcester Warriors team, who were beaten finalists last season, face local rivals Bristol Rugby in their first round match, whilst their conquerors in that final and current holders of the Russell Cargill Cup Newcastle Falcons, will meet newly promoted Northampton Saints in their first round match.

Squads will be announced in the coming weeks and the Middlesex Sevens is sure to enhance its reputation for showcasing the best young talent in the English game and this year, they will be joined by some of the best young talent in Wales as well.

Young players from all sixteen teams, including some from England’s World Junior Championship Final side, will be keen to use the Sevens as a springboard to further their case for regular Guinness Premiership or Magners League rugby, or even a place in the England side under new Head Coach Martin Johnson or a Wales side looking to defend their Grand Slam.

Tickets for the Middlesex Sevens are now on sale and are available through Ticketmaster on 0871 871 0777 or by visiting www.middlesex7s.com

The draw in full is as follows:

Dragons v London Irish
Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints
Harlequins v Leeds Carnegie
Sale Sharks v Ospreys
Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby
Worcester Warriors v Bristol Rugby
Leicester Tigers v London Wasps
Saracens v British Army

Please note that the order of matches will be decided at a later date.

Past winners

1997, Barbarians
1998, Barbarians,
1999, Penguins
2000, Penguins
2001, British Army
2002, Bradford RL
2003, Northampton Saints
2004, British Army
2005, Gloucester
2006, London Wasps