This is a big season for the England Sevens team as they prepare for the Sevens Rugby World Cup in Hong Kong in March. England are currently ranked second in the World, having narrowly lost out to New Zealand the last couple of years.  However, England have won in Hong Kong for the last three years so expectations are high that England could become the first country ever to do a World Cup Double - and be World Champions in both the 15 and 7 a-side game. 

The IRB Sevens series kicks off in December with tournaments in Dubai and George and the team play a total of seven tournaments plus the World Cup finishing in Bordeaux in June. 

The schedule is:

2 & 3 December	Dubai
10 & 11 December	George
4 & 5 February	Wellington
12 & 13 February	Los Angeles
18 - 20 March	World Cup, Hong Kong
16 & 17 April	Singapore
4 & 5 June	Twickenham
11 & 12 June	Bordeaux

Before the first tournament here is a handy guide to the regulars in the England Sevens Squad:

Simon Amor - captain of the Sevens team, a role he has held for the past three years. Plays for Gloucester and may only be five foot four but is highly respected around the world as one of the greatest sevens players of the time. 

Geoff Appleford - Born in South Africa, plays for London Irish. Ironically made his England Sevens debut in Durban in 2001. 

Richard Haughton - The big haired winger from Saracens, Richard has been a regular member of the squad since 2001. He scored eight tries in the Hong Kong Sevens earlier this year to help England retain the title for the third successive year. 

Ugo Monye - A popular figure for NEC Harlequins, Ugo burst onto the Sevens scene in 2003.  Has represented England at U19 and U21 level whilst his brother plays for London Wasps. 

Peter Richards - The blond haired scrum half from London Wasps who began his rugby career alongside Jonny Wilkinson at Farnham minis. Has also played for London Irish, Quins and Bristol Shoguns. 

Pat Sanderson - Flanker Pat first played England Sevens in 1997 and has been a regular over the past few seasons. He moved from NEC Harlequins this summer to Worcester where he has been in fine form, occasionally captaining the premiership new boys. 

Paul Sampson - The ex-Wasps and Bath full back has been playing Super League for the London Broncos but has recently been signed for Worcester Warriors and is back in action in the Zurich Premiership alongside fellow England Sevens teammater Pat Sanderson.

Mathew Tait - Already generating excitement amongst the rugby world as an extremely gifted youngster who plays his rugby for Newcastle Falcons. Aged 18 but worth keeping an eye on for the future.

Rob Thirlby - The only member of the squad not to play in the Zurich Premiership. Rob plays for Penzance & Newlyn.  He shared the Top Try Scorers record in the IRB Sevens last season with 35 tries during the season. 

Mike Friday - The Coach. Mike is well known on the Sevens circuit as an ex-England captain and having played in the 2001 Sevens Rugby World Cup in Argentina. Mike is an ex-Wasp who has also played at Rosslyn Park. Took over from Joe Lydon towards the end of last season and is charged with trying to win the World Cup and win the IRB Series - no mean feat!