England Sevens coach Ben Ryan has arrived in Dubai believing.
He believes that his England squad has the fitness and experience needed to win in Dubai; he believes that he possesses the crucial ingredient of pace in his squad, but he also believes that up to eight teams are capable of walking away with the Cup trophy at the first event of the new IRB Sevens World Series.
"I get more excited every year, we're at the start line in Dubai and it gives England every chance with the support here so positive," said Ryan.
"We have the players out here before much of the winter rugby has been played back at home, so we're fresh. We haven't had any tournaments to warm up and some of the other teams have - our first game will be the first time the new team gets to run out together - but I'm excited."
In many respects England and Ryan outdid expectations last year, quickly improving on the disappointing and lacklustre form of 2007 to win tournaments in Wellington - for the first time ever - and at home in London. However, Fiji's victory at the final event of the season in Edinburgh nudged them down into third in the overall World Series standings, leaving the coach with a sense of 'unfinished business'.
"It was disappointing but, saying that, we did have some superb wins. We want to hit more finals this year, I'm sure everyone else does; we have higher hopes this year, I'm sure everyone else has, so we just want to make sure that we improve and that's all we can do really."
List of potential winners longer than ever
Ryan's side was beaten in the Dubai final last year by South Africa, who went on to win the IRB Sevens World Series for the first time. He believes that they start the new season as favourites, but that any number of teams could win.
"They (South Africa) probably are the team to beat, but when you get to the top end the list of teams able to win in Sevens is very long, whether it's South Africa, Fiji, ourselves, New Zealand, Argentina, Samoa, Kenya - they are all capable of rolling you over, and that list gets longer every year. I'm sure that soon we'll be adding to that the likes of a Russia or USA too, or Scotland and Wales, who won the World Cup here.
"Winning in Dubai sets you up for the whole season and we'll be looking to stay in there for as long as possible."
Ryan has been boosted by the inclusion of several Sevens 'veterans' from last year. Captain Ollie Phillips misses the trip due to his excellent form for Stade Francais but Ben Gollings returns, as do key forwards Isoa Damu and Chris Cracknell and half back Kevin Barrett.
To that experienced core Ryan has added a few exciting youngsters, including Wasps Academy player and former track athlete Christian Wade.
"This is something else, it's really exciting - coming into the squad as one of the youngest players and playing with people like Damu, Chris Cracknell, Kevin Barrett, Ben Gollings a Sevens legend, I find it quite amazing," said Wade, who has played for England at Under 18 level.
"They haven't told me much about it yet, I think they just want me to experience it for myself. In training they're saying just to keep communicating and everything will be fine."
Track prowess
Wade competed in 100 metres and 200 metres from a young age. At 16 he made the finals at the England schools sprint championships and he also competed in the AAAs in Sheffield at the same age. Given that background, Rugby's latest Olympic developments - inclusion in the 2016 Games in Rio - are particularly welcome.
"I was hoping to take sprinting a bit further but rugby took over and 2016 is definitely in the back of my mind. The only thing is whether I see myself as a Sevens player that far ahead. I'm still young and looking to keep my options open.
"Coming from an athletic background, the Olympics was obviously one of my goals. Now I've changed to rugby but that goal is now still alive to me, which is amazing."
A former England age grade coach, Ryan is looking forward to seeing how the youngsters step up in Dubai.
"Christian has done really well at England Under 18s but this will be a big step-up," he said.
"Jake Abbott is a promising young openside, Chris Brightwell is an ex-kiwi from Wellington so mad keen to hold onto his place for the New Zealand trip in February and Nick Royle, who played for the Barbarians last year and played Super League for Widnes, is another flyer from down the leagues with a golden ticket.
"It's up to them now to prove that they deserve to be here."
