GUESTS SIDES RETURN TO MIDDLESEX SEVENS

Middlesex Rugby Sevens at Twickenham on Saturday 16th August

In response to public demand guests sides have been invited back again this year to the Middlesex Rugby Sevens at Twickenham on Saturday 16th August. Four invitation sides – the British Army, The Ospreys, The Dragons and Leeds Carnegie will join all twelve of the Guinness Premiership clubs to compete in the knockout competition. The re-introduction of guests sides is expected to draw a crowd of over 30,000 rugby supporters which is run in aid of the two rugby charities; the PRA Benevolent Fund and the RFU Charitable Trust.

The Ospreys are no strangers to Twickenham, having played in two EDF Energy Cup Finals there in the past two seasons, winning the trophy in 2008 by beating Leicester Tigers. The Dragons will join them in trying to put a Welsh region on the trophy for the first time since the tournament started in 1926.

The British Army always command huge patriotic support amongst the crowd when they play. They were twice winners, in 2001 and 2004 and will be amongst the favourites again with a team normally boasting a strong Pacific Islands presence.

The team to beat last season was Newcastle Falcons who claimed their first ever Middlesex Sevens title by beating Worcester Warriors by a single point, ably led by their captain, England Sevens star Ollie Phillips. Under new head coach, Steve Bates, Newcastle will be aiming to retain the Russell Cargill Cup.

“As a club we have always taken Sevens seriously, because there are clearly benefits to the 15-man game in terms of player and skill development.

"Winning the Middlesex Sevens last season was an outstanding achievement from such a young squad, many of whom have gone on to shine for the Falcons on the Guinness Premiership stage and earn England Sevens call-ups.

"Again this year we will be sending down a strong squad which has played a lot of Sevens tournaments together, and we will be looking to mount another strong challenge on the trophy."

The Middlesex Sevens takes place on Saturday 16th August at Twickenham Stadium. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster on 0871 871 0777 or by visiting www.middlesex7s.com

To be in with a chance of winning one of five pairs of tickets to the show just answer this question:

Q: Which team won the Middlesex Sevens last year?

CLICK HERE to e-mail us your answer.
 Please put "Rugby" as your subject and remember to include your name and address so that we can send the lucky winners their prizes. 

The draw will take place on 4th. August 2008

Good luck !