...As well as the main competition, there is also a 12-team tournament with the winner qualifying as a core team for the 2016-17 series, which was won by Russia in 2015 and Japan in 2014.
...For the 12-team qualifier draw, the teams were banded into four groups of three teams each by World Rugby, based on their performances on the series and at other international sevens events over the preceding two years.
Pool E features Zimbabwe, hosts Hong Kong, Germany and debutants the Cayman Islands.
Pool F comprises Spain, Chile, Papua New Guinea and Mexico,
Pool G are Japan, Tonga, Brazil and Morocco.
