England have been drawn against reigning champions Samoa in the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens which begin on March 28.
The England sevens have won the tournament four times since 2002, but have been in poor form recently. Last weekend they were beaten by Kenya in San Diego and have fallen to seventh in the overall standings on 18 points, some 62 points behind leaders New Zealand. Sri Lanka and Canada are the other sides drawn in Pool B.
New Zealand, the overwhelming favourites, are in Pool A with the USA, Tunisa and Chinese Taipei. The All Blacks arrive in Hong Kong after six successive series wins, which includes 36 consecutive victories. Gordon Tietjens’ side hold a 32-point lead over second-placed South Africa, who have been drawn in Pool C with Argentina, Russia and Japan.
Last year’s beaten finalists Fiji, who are third in the standings, will face Zimbabwe, Korea and Wales - the Plate champions in each of the last two Hong Kong tournaments, in Pool D
Scotland meet Kenya, Portugal and China in Pool E, while hosts Hong Kong will face Australia, Tonga and France in Group F.