A tug-of-war between the English clubs and the country's governing body, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), has left a dismayed Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) still holding open a berth for this year's Silver Sevens.
The HKRFU yesterday announced the lineup for the March 24-26 Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong Sevens. Missing from the 24-team roster are England, the only team yet to confirm their presence at the 25th anniversary of the competition.
'I believe the RFU are currently in a dialogue with the clubs on releasing players . . . and we have granted their wish for a few more days to make up their mind on the invitation,' said Peter Duncan, HKRFU chairman.
With hope springing eternal, the HKRFU has now extended its deadline until the end of this week.
Even England coach Clive Woodward has backed moves to send a representative team to Hong Kong and for more involvement in the inaugural World Sevens Series.
'We've got to get involved in this circuit because it's a great grooming ground,' Woodward was recently quoted as saying. 'Look at where the likes of Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen first emerged . . . the Hong Kong Sevens. I don't want to send an unrepresentative side, one that will get wiped out by those countries more in tune with sevens.' The English clubs had initially agreed to release players for the International Rugby Board-backed World Sevens Series, which began in Dubai last month.
However, it is known that the plan had been derailed after the clubs asked for a GBP350,000 compensation package from the RFU to cover salaries.