Defending champion University will be attempting to win the club's 10th Middlesex Cup at the outer University Oval today.
The students took the trophy off Alhambra-Union when they won a tense final at the North Ground 24-17 last year.
University has won the trophy nine times and is the most successful club at the seven-a-side tournament, which was first held in Dunedin in 1951 when it was won by Zingari-Richmond.
Dynamic loose forwards Paul Grant and Brad Cameron will be key players in the student team this year.
The event has attracted entries from 12 teams, including 2006 and 2007 champion Green Island. All the other city premier clubs are represented and Brighton has also entered a team.
Green Island has a strong team that includes New Zealand sevens representative Buxton Popoalii. Other key members of the team include Josh Beer, Karl Spooner and Nathan May.
Alhambra-Union, the winner in 2008 and 2009, should not be underestimated with players such as New Zealand Colt Liam Coltman, Otago sevens representative Peter Breen and Ben Pereira in the team.
Games start at 10am at the outer University Oval and the final will be played at 5.30pm. It will be preceded by the finals of the plate and the bowl.
There is also another sevens tournament being played in the province.
Seven teams will be competing in the North Otago Sevens at the Maheno club today. Kurow is the only premier club not entered. Play starts at noon.
The University club has organised volunteers to collect donations for the Earthquake Relief Fund at the University Oval today.
