The captains of Asia Pacific Dragons, the Penguins, the France National Development team and the Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) graced the annual Captains Meet today, ahead of the Nov 1-3 SCC International Rugby Sevens tournament at the Padang.

The 20-team tournament will be entering its 66th edition this year.

Defending champions Daveta from Fiji are expected to face a stern challenge from first-time participants Asia Pacific Dragons, a star-studded team featuring past and current international rugby players including 2006 France Player of the Year Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Samoa's prolific try-scorer Mikaele Pesamino.

The Penguins, who lifted the Ablitt Cup in 2010, also pose a threat to the Fijian team's hopes of a three peat.

Pio Tuwai, captain of the Dragons, said: "We are confident of winning the Cup. It is my first time in Singapore, but the weather will not be a problem; the conditions are roughly the same as in Fiji."

The players also organised a rugby clinic at the Padang for rugby players from various schools after the Captains Meet.