SCOTLAND will take on the All Blacks in the rugby sevens competition in this summer's Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow 2014 has today confirmed the team and pools for the fierce competition who will be involved in the 45 games which will take place across two days at Ibrox Stadium
The sixteen teams who will strive for the coveted Gold medal in front of packed audiences include Australia, Canada, Cook Islands, England, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda and Wales.
Reigning champions New Zealand, who have won all four Commonwealth Gold medals to date, have been drawn in Pool A alongside Canada, Nigeria and Scotland.
South Africa (Pool B) and Australia (Pool D) were both among the medals at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and, together with Samoa (Pool C) and England (Pool D), are among the nations determined to challenge the mighty All-Blacks' dominance in Glasgow.
The four Pools confirmed by the International Rugby Board and Commonwealth Games Federation are:
Pool A - New Zealand, Canada, Scotland, Nigeria
Pool B - South Africa, Kenya, Cook Islands, Trinidad and Tobago
Pool C - Samoa, Wales, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia
Pool D - England, Australia, Sri Lanka, Uganda
Greg Warnecke, head of sport at Glasgow 2014, said: "Glasgow will welcome most of the world's best Rugby Sevens nations to compete at the Games. The standard of competition will be world-class, the action is fast-paced and with all of the teams playing in each session of competition, it guarantees a feast of rugby action and a brilliant atmosphere all round."
Bernard Lapasset, IRB chairman, added: "For 16 years now Rugby Sevens has enjoyed being a key part of the Commonwealth Games. To compete alongside their compatriots in a multisport environment is a matter of huge pride and honour for our rugby players, who are making giant strides in this new Olympic era. We wish our Rugby athletes all the best in this magnificent international event."
Limited opportunities still remain to be part of the Rugby Sevens crowd at Ibrox with ticket prices starting from just £15 for adults.
Tickets are on sale on a first-come, first-served basis online at glasgow2014.com or via the Ticketing Hotline at 0844 826 2014.
The full competition schedule, detailing dates and times of matches, will be announced next month.
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