Starting once again with the two events in Dubai and George, South Africa, in December 2010 the global tour will climax in Edinburgh in May 2011 having visited five continents over a six month period.

Almost 24,000 supporters arrived for the international party at Murrayfield this year and were treated to a feast of fast-paced rugby which saw Samoa win an incredible 24-minute semi-final over England on their way their to a convincing cup final victory over London winners Australia after watching Scotland bounce back from an early day-two defeat to England to overcome South Africa and Argentina to lift the plate.

He said: “The 2010 Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens was the perfect finale for the IRB Sevens World Series and has won international praise from supporters and players alike.

“The fans, the atmosphere and the Scotland team’s outstanding performance all came together to create a great weekend of rugby and I’m sure next year’s event can be even bigger and better.

“In the four years Murrayfield has hosted the final event we have seen some memorable performances and, while we compete at some fantastic events on the World Series, it’s always special for the squad to return home and play the final tournament in front of a passionate home crowd at Murrayfield.”

But it’s not all about the on-pitch action. The Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s will again combine the elite international 16-team tournament with a party atmosphere and an extremely popular festival of rugby.

IRB Chairman, Bernard Lapasset, said: “Samoa’s achievements this year show just how competitive Rugby Sevens has become on a global scale and I’m sure that the IRB World Series will continue to go from strength to strength.

“Apart from the unparalleled party atmosphere at each of the events, one of rugby sevens major attractions is the unpredictable nature of the matches.

“In the last two seasons alone eight countries from four continents have won cup titles – New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Samoa, Argentina and England all winners on the World Series and Wales at the Rugby World Cup Sevens – and we have seen the emergence of other title contenders such as Kenya and USA, who have reached cup finals.

“That element of the unknown, combined with the players’ incredible levels of fitness, skill and camaraderie, makes sevens such a hit with fans, sponsors and broadcasters all around the world.”

2010/11 IRB Sevens World Series
Dubai, UAE 3-4 December 2010
George, South Africa 10-11 December 2010
Wellington, New Zealand 4-5 February 2011
Las Vegas, USA 12-13 February 2011
Hong Kong 25, 26, 27 March 2011
Adelaide, Australia 2-3 April 2011
London, England 21-22 May 2011
Edinburgh, Scotland 28-29 May 2011
* The 2010 Commonwealth Games Sevens competition will be held in Delhi, India on 11-12 October 2010