Defending Melrose Cup champion, Fiji has been drawn in Pool B for the 2009 IRB 7s Rugby World Cup in Dubai.

Fiji has been grouped with France, USA and Georgia as they attempt to become the first side to successfully defend the Melrose Cup following their success in Hong Kong four years ago.

24 men’s teams and for the first time 16 women’s teams will battle it out to be crowned world champions at Dubai's magnificent new venue "The Sevens" from 6th to the 8th of March.

The draws were carried out by Bernard Lapasset, the chairman of Rugby World Cup Limited, with Her Royal Highness Princess Hayal Al Hussein.

New Zealand, winners in 2001, are joined in Pool A by Tonga, host Arabian Gulf and Italy, while IRB 7s World Series leaders South Africa find Scotland, Canada and Japan awaiting them in Pool C in Dubai.

The six pool winners and best two runners up will progress to the Melrose Cup quarterfinals, the four other runners up and four best sides that finish 3rd in their pool will contest the Plate and the remaining sides the Bowl.