Ireland face a hard task today and tomorrow to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Emirates Dubai Sevens, the second tournament this season in the IRB world series.

Ireland have been dealt a tough draw in a group that contains Fiji, Argentina and Morocco. With just two from each pool going through to the last-eight stage, the critical match will be against Argentina.

"We've played against Argentina in our past few tournaments," said Ireland coach Denis McBride who hopes his side can atone for the disastrous showing in Hong Kong last March.

Now Ireland, by selecting what looks to be a strong squad, have signalled a change of attitude to sevens rugby. For the Dubai event, players like James Topping, David Wallace and Matt Mostyn are all capable of making a mark. Missing from the original selection is Gordon D'Arcy but that has presented an opportunity for youngster Gavin Duffy, an Irish schools' cap last season.

McBride believes that in the future he will select from the academies that have now become a key part of the Ireland system of developing young players.

As part of their preparation for the first day of play at Dubai, Ireland had a practice match against England yesterday with what McBride described as a "satisfactory" conclusion.

Ireland open against sevens experts Fiji, the runners-up at the Durban tournament last weekend. Fiji have a new-look side in Dubai but even so they still have to be considered formidable opponents. Thereafter it is Argentina and then Morocco.

Wales face an equally tough task in qualifying for the quarterfinals but England have been handed a favourable draw.

Pool A: New Zealand, England, Georgia, Arabian Gulf; Pool B: Australia, Manu Samoa, Hong Kong, Kenya; Pool C: Fiji, Argentina, Ireland, Morocco; Pool D: South Africa, Canada, Wales, Zimbabwe.

Ireland: A Kearney, J Cunningham, D Wallace, D Hegarty, J Staunton, J Topping, M Mostyn, C McMahon, S Keogh, M McHugh, G Duffy.