By Andrew Baldock, PA Sport Rugby Union Correspondent

World Rugby's major Sevens powers will continue jockeying for position today in their quest to collect Commonwealth Games gold at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Last night's opening group skirmishes followed the form book, with one notable exception - Kenya's stunning 28-20 victory over Samoa.

And while England were unimpressive in dispatching both Kenya (33-12) and Cook Islands (24-12), they will reach the last eight providing they avoid defeat against Samoa this afternoon.

Wales, who overcame the late loss of injured British Lion Dafyd James, are already through to the quarter-finals following comprehensive successes over tournament fall-guys Sri Lanka (57-7) and Tonga (31-10).

But the competition's major medal protagonists - New Zealand and Fiji - are lurking dangerously.

Fiji, with their legendary leader Waisale Serevi calling the shots, hardly broke sweat in racking up 148 unanswered points through blitzing Malaysia and Trinidad and Tobago, while reigning Commonwealth champions New Zealand easily brushed aside Canada and Niue Island.

Scotland's hopes of progressing, though, hinged totally on the highly improbable scenario of them defeating New Zealand in their final group fixture.

The Scots started promisingly, registering a half century against Niue Island, but then slipped up 7-0 against Canada in what they knew was a pivotal Pool A clash.

Former Leicester wing Winston Stanley scored the only try as Canada put themselves in a strong position with regard to the knockout rounds and also deflected some publicity away from Fred Asselin, who was able to play last night despite being severely reprimanded by International Rugby Board chiefs for having used a prohibited substance - Oxysocet - in a cure for toothache.

Around 20,000 spectators watched last night's action, but that will rise towards 38,000 capacity today as the competition begins cranking up in terms of intensity, building towards Sunday's final

England know that they will need to improve, but there was still enough shown by the likes of Henry Paul, Josh Lewsey and Ben Gollings to suggest that the third-ranked team in World Sevens could still have a major say in where the gold medal ends up.