Reaction to the pool allocation draw for the first ever women's competition to be contested at a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament, in Dubai in March.
Sue Day, England women's captain
On England women's draw
"We have played USA quite a bit before, I’ve seen Russia but don’t think we have ever played them and have never played Japan. It is exciting, we’ve never had the opportunity to play these sides. It looks like a tough pool, although I suppose they are all pretty tough groups and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
"We saw Russia play at the Europeans and they have a couple of real speedsters. USA have got a very strong group and have a great tradition of Sevens so we know how good they are and Japan are a complete unknown."
On the competition as a whole
"Looking at Pool A with Australia, I know we have not had opportunity to play them because there is not so much competitive Sevens, but Australia are very strong and I think they beat New Zealand in their qualifier and we know that New Zealand have a strong Sevens team. Netherlands reached the final of the Europeans and France are always a strong team so that should be pretty interesting.
"It’s hard to comment on the others because I know less about South Africa and Uganda, the same about Brazil and Thailand. Spain and Italy are known to us and we know New Zealand are strong as are Canada.
"I think because funding is unequal it tends to be more in the regions that you play each other. The exception has been USA and Canada, who do get around the world quite a bit and that is what is so wonderful about the World Cup, you get to challenge yourself against the best in the world."
Frédéric Pomarel, French women's coach
"I am happy! The Australians beat New Zealand in qualification and they've played at Hong Kong for a long time and have a greater experience at this level than us.
"For me they are the best with New Zealand and England. I would have preferred to draw Canada, who seem more beatable than the other top seeds.
"There won't be too many surprises for us though - we saw China play in Hong Kong and we played against Holland in Lunel. We'll also get another good look at them when we play in February in Malaga."
Simon Amor, England women's coach
"We saw Russia play in the European Sevens, and they proved to be a real tough side. Although we've never played them it was obvious that they have got some real talent, with some powerful forwards and some really quick players.
"The USA are also one of our biggest rivals. They are a side we have played a few times and they are a threat, they have a great tradition in sevens rugby.
"It's an exciting pool, and although one of the toughest pools of the tournament, we hope to use that to our advantage and get our tournament campaign off to a flying start."
Bernard Lapasset, Chairman Rugby World Cup Ltd
"Now the draw is complete, we can turn our attention to kick-off on 5 March. Dubai has a rich history of delivering exceptional Sevens tournaments and travelling fans can look forward to a tournament that will deliver world class rugby on the pitch and incredible entertainment for all the family off the pitch. It is an event not to be missed.
"While both draws look extremely competitive, I am especially looking forward to watching the inaugural women's competition. The women's game is experiencing unprecedented global growth at the moment and standards are raising year on year. It is going to be extremely difficult to call who will be crowned the first Women's Rugby World Cup champions."
