The process begins at next month's Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, which retains its unique 24-team format. This year, the existing 12 core teams will compete in the race for the 2011/12 series title, while the others play in a parallel competition to achieve one of the three additional core places being created for the 2012/13 season. Contenders for core status are Russia, Tonga, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Japan and Zimbabwe.
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Scots Seven's 'core' status no longer a certainty
n Scotland's position as one of the HSBC World Sevens Series core teams can no longer be assured for the 2013/14 season after the International Rugby Board's decision to introduce a system of promotion and relegation, writes Alan Lorimer.
