Thursday's Ruck & Maul

Red sky over Glasgee Toon, thanks to Debbie Moonlight.......according to all reports the boys are ready and rearin' for tomorrow.  Best of luck to the whole Krew.

Canada vs Japan at 11:36 local (6:36am ET/3:36am PT)
 
Canada begin their Glasgow campaign against a team full of confidence after they secured a core-team place on next season's Series via the Hong Kong qualifiers.
 
Wins over Russia in the semis and then Italy in the final sparked celebrations for Japan, who enter the Glasgow tournament knowing they have nothing to lose.
 
Canada didn't have it all their own way in their most recent game with the Japanese, in Tokyo last year, where John's men won 27-15, gaining revenge for their pool defeat to the Brave Blossoms, so it will be tough opposition first up for the squad.
 
"Japan certainly played very well in Tokyo and Hong Kong and have some very good players especially Lemeki who has been outstanding form scores tries for them. They are fast and will be keen to show that they deserve to be a core team," said John.
 
Canada vs France at 14:42 local (9:42am ET/6:42am PT)
 
Second on the Day One schedule for the Canadians is another important fixture as on current standings and form, this could well be a decider for Cup action.
 
France have struggled to hit consistent form in recent outings - not making the Cup in Wellington, Tokyo and Hong Kong - but are always a threat due to their ability to create a performance from nothing so Canada must be at their best on Saturday.
 
Canada last faced Les Bleus in the Cup quarter-final of this year's Las Vegas tournament, with John's charges winning the game narrowly by 17 points to 14.
 
"Every time we play France it has been close," John explained ahead of what will be a hugely important game. "The games are always also very physical and they will be again well led and directed by their key flamboyant decision maker, Bouhraoua."
 
Canada vs England at 17:31 local (12:31pm ET/9:31am PT)
 
Canada's final match of the opening day at Scotstoun Stadium is arguably the toughest as England are improving by the tournament this season, with a 13, 15, 17 and 19 point return in recent IRB World Sevens Series outings illustrating that fact.
 
England's efforts in Hong Kong saw them go all the way to the final as the likes of speedsters Marcus Watson and Dan Norton stood out. However, they ultimately fell at the last hurdle as current leaders New Zealand got the better of them 26-7.
 
Canada have faced England 30 times in the Series, winning twice, with the most recent victory coming in 2010 although recent matches have been tight affairs.
 
"Once again we have been close this year with England - notably in Tokyo and Hong Kong when we narrowly lost even though we scored two tries each," said coach John. "They have done very well this year and have some fast players notably Watson, Norton and Mitchell who has been in excellent form this season."

Take it in, streamed; http://www.irbsevens.com/  & GO, CANADA, GO!!

Commiserations to Clermont, Canada and Capilanos, Jamie Cudmore who toiled all game for the Clermont team that was spanked by Saracens on the weekend.  Saracens will now take on Toulon, anchored by Johnny Wilkinson, in the Heiniken Cup Final.  Clermont's early attack was frustrated by a most unusual call from referee, Nigel Owens, when he awarded a penalty try.  It was determined that a player deliberately knocked a ball dead in goal, preventing a try.  It was totally contraversial as to whether the tally would have been scored and upon further replays, defintely not likely!  Just goes to show, refs can have a bummer too, most un-Owen's-like!  Stiff luck, Jamie.  At the end of the day, the penalty try was not a factor as Saries went on a rampage but it definitely would have put a team in a sour state of mind.