Twelve Zurich Premiership sides will battle it out with the Army, Loughborough University, rugby league outfit St Helens and Young England on August 16 at Twickenham.

The first round of games gets under way when Gloucester take on the Army at 11.20am, with Sanderson’s side the next in action against Leeds Tykes at 11.40am.

Young England tackle London Irish, Loughborough face Newcastle Falcons and St Helens take on Leicester Tigers.

“Any number of sides could win it. It’s a very open tournament this year,” said Sanderson when the draw was unveiled at the Sun Inn in Richmond.

“Gloucester, the Army and Young England – who are coached by Joe Lydon – all in the top half of the draw and the winner could come from that section.”

Sanderson, part of the England side that won the Hong Kong Sevens in 2002, will lead a NEC Harlequins team aiming to add to their record 13 Middlesex titles.

Quins are also expected to unleash Ugo Monye – the winger who starred as England captured the 2003 Brisbane, Hong Kong and London Sevens titles in the IRB World Series.

Sevens veteran Chris Sheasby is hoping to make a final Middlesex Sevens appearance.

Sheasby – who will be 37 in November – was part of the England side that beat Australia to win the World Cup Sevens at Murrayfield in 1993.

“There’s a possibility I’ll be playing,” said Sheasby. “It’s a tournament that’s always been a favourite of mine and it’d be good to do it again before I retire.”

The London Irish No. 8 believes well-organised sides like the Army, winners in 2001, and Young England will be dangerous opponents – and that St Helens could continue the dominance of rugby league sides at the shortened form of the game.

Saints are the third league outfit to take part, following Bradford Bulls, who won last season’s tournament, and Wigan, who lifted the trophy in 1996.

London Pride Middlesex Sevens, first round: Gloucester v Army, NEC Harlequins v Leeds Tykes, Young England v London Irish, Newcastle Falcons v Loughborough, Sale Shark v Saracens, Rotherham v Northampton Saints, Bath v London Wasps, Leicester Tigers v St Helens.  Click here for the full draw

Tickets are available priced from £23 from the website www.middlesex7s.com