Harlequins' Ollie Lindsay-Hague and Wasps' Will Matthews and Tom Varndell © onEdition

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Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Harlequins | London Irish | Saracens | Wasps

The J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby Sevens Series kicks-off at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday night, giving some of the Premiership's brightest young talent a chance to impress on the big stage.

In the opening event of the series, which sees the 12 Premiership clubs divided into Pools of four, with further events staged at Welford Road and Franklin's Gardens, Harlequins, Saracens, Wasps and London Irish will battle for a place in the final at Bath's Recreation Ground on August 6.

The top two sides from the three Pool rounds will progress to the final in Bath and there will be early season bragging rights and potential further honours for the players on the line.

The Exiles have included former Saxons fly-half Ryan Lamb in their squad, where he is joined by new recruit Guy Armitage, younger brother of England internationals Delon and Steffon. Armitage is no stranger to the short form of the game, having won the Middlesex Sevens with Irish last season.

Former Ireland 'A' international Simon Keogh adds plenty of experience to the Harlequins squad, who are able to look to their club's 2008 Middlesex triumph for inspiration. Saracens have named an exciting panel for the opener, with Premiership regular Noah Cato leading the way. Owen Farrell, son of league legend and Sarries coach Andy, also gets a chance, as does former England Sevens international Nils Mordt.

Wasps include ex-England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall among their number, and he, along with new fly-half Seb Jewell, will be on familiar turf as former Harlequins players.

With the New Delhi Commonwealth Games Sevens slated for October and England still in pursuit of that elusive gold medal, the series provides ample opportunity for players to influence the selection of England coach Ben Ryan, who will soon be turning his attention to preparations for the Olympic games in 2016.

Wasps wing Tom Varndell was part of the England side which claimed silver in 2006, alongside full England internationals Mathew Tait, Magnus Lund, Henry Paul and Danny Care, and believes that the Premiership Sevens can have a major impact in the build-up to the tournament.

"If England have any hope of winning the Commonwealth games, or finish like we did last time, they need that backing and financial support," he said. "Ben has got to have the opportunity to look at players who will be coming through and pushing for places and this is the best way to do it."

Match schedule:
19.30 - Harlequins v London Wasps
19.55 - Saracens v London Irish
20.25 - Saracens v Harlequins
20.50 - London Wasps v London Irish
21.20 - Harlequins v London Irish
21.45 - Saracens v London Wasps

All four rounds of the tournament, including the final, will be broadcast LIVE from the grounds by ESPN in the UK.