The International Rugby Board (IRB) is seeding the top eight teams in the first four of 10 tournaments that make up the inaugural IRB World Sevens Series. From then on seedings will be linked to points earned at subsequent tournaments. IRB Chief Executive Officer Stephen Baines said initial seedings were based on results from international tournaments over the past two years, including the Commonwealth Games Sevens, and on the potential strength of the competing squads. “We nominated New Zealand as the top seed for Dubai over Fiji based on the number of tournaments won last season. We then reversed some of the rankings for South Africa to ensure varied opposition in the second tournament and to provide the top eight with an opportunity to establish their true rankings as soon as possible,” Baines said. The IRB World Sevens Series starts in Dubai December 2/3 with the Arabian Gulf RFU’s annual Dubai Sevens and moves on to the South African RFU’s Stellenbosch Sevens on December 10/11. Between January and May 2000 there will be further tournaments in Uruguay, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Hong Kong, Japan and France. World Sevens Series championship points will be awarded to the winners and runners-up of the Cup (20 points and 16 points) and Plate (8 points, 6 points) and winners of the Bowl (2 points) at each 16- team tournament. There will also be points for the losing semi- finalists in the Cup (12 points) and Plate (4 points). For the Hong Kong tournament, with an entry of 24 teams, there will be an enhanced incentive with Series points increased by 50% reflecting the larger entry. The seedings for the first two tournaments are: Dubai: 1 New Zealand; 2 Fiji; 3 Australia; 4 Samoa; 5 South Africa; 6 France; 7 Canada; 8 Scotland. South Africa: 1 Fiji; 2 New Zealand; 3 Australia; 4 South Africa; 5 Samoa; 6 France; 7 Argentina; 8 Canada. For further information please contact the IRB Fraser Neill, Tournaments Manage. Tel: +353 1 662 5444, Fax: +353 1 676 9334 Peter McMullan, Manager Media and Promotions. Tel: +353 1 662 5444, Fax: +353 1 676 9334 IRB Website: www.irfb.com