Leicester Tigers and London Wasps will meet in the first round of the 2008 Middlesex Sevens on Saturday, August 16, after the draw was made this morning.

The tournament at Twickenham has expanded to 16 teams this season with the addition of the Ospreys and Dragons from Wales, the British Army and National One promotion hopefuls Leeds Carnegie. The expanded format means the tournament reverts to a knockout competition, with first-round losers going into the Plate competition.

Tigers and Wasps met in the final in 2006 and have been regular rivals in the knockout stages of major competitions in recent years, including last season’s Guinness Premiership Final and EDF Energy Cup semi-final.

The Middlesex Sevens, won  by Tigers for the only time in 1995, has a developed a proud history of announcing new talent on to the domestic stage.

Tom Croft emerged as Leicester’s key man two years ago, while last season one of the finds of the tournament was Worcester Warriors wing Miles Benjamin. The 20-year-old helped take Worcester into the final, before making his Guinness Premiership against Tigers two months later.

Warriors, who were beaten finalists last season, face Bristol Rugby in their first-round match, while Newcastle Falcons, the defending champions and holders of the Russell Cargill Cup, meet Northampton Saints. Former Leicester colleagues Dean Richards and Neil Back will pit their wits against each other as Harlequins open against Leeds Carnegie.

Squads will be announced in the coming weeks and the Middlesex Sevens is sure to enhance its reputation for showcasing the best young talent in the English game, and this year they will be joined by some of the best young talent in Wales as well.

Young players from all 16 teams, including some from England’s World Junior Championship Final side, will be keen to use the Sevens as a springboard to further their case for regular Guinness Premiership or Magners League rugby, or even a place in the England side under new team manager Martin Johnson or a Wales side looking to defend their Grand Slam.

Tickets for the Middlesex Sevens are on sale now and are available through Ticketmaster on 0871 871 0777 or by visiting www.middlesex7s.com 

Details on the history of the tournament and a full list of winners are available at http://www.middlesex7s.com/

Middlesex Sevens draw:
Dragons v London Irish
Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints
Harlequins v Leeds Carnegie
Sale Sharks v Ospreys
Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby
Worcester Warriors v Bristol Rugby
Leicester Tigers v London Wasps
Saracens v British Army
Note: Order of matches will be decided at a later date.