The appeal lies in the mixture of players - young guns clambering up the sport's ladder coming face to face with grizzled veterans.

'The Tens has always attracted world-class players. Jonah Lomu, Joe Roff, Toutai Kefu and Neil Jenkins have all taken part in recent years,' said organising committee chairman Paul Smith.

'This year, we have former South Africa captain and World Cup winner Bobby Skinstad turning out for a new team - Scatterlings of Africa. The tournament also unearths tomorrow's stars. The 2003 winning New Zealand Metro team contained four players who went on to become All Blacks - Ben Atiga, Jerome Kaino, Sione Lauaki and Nick Evans. The Tens enjoys a reputation as the best 10-a-side rugby tournament in the world.'

Since its inception in 1986 - exactly 10 years after the Sevens - the Tens has helped to cement Hong Kong's status as the centre of sevens rugby.

This year, the elite UK-based touring team, the Penguins, are making their third Tens visit, having twice finished as runners-up. They are hoping to end New Zealand's eight-year streak. With the New Zealand Metro team unable to attend this year due to lack of sponsorship, their odds are improved.

While the Tens marks the start of the international headliners, the festival really gets going the weekend before with the HKCC Synovate Country of Origin Tournament, on Saturday, March 21, at Kings Park.

'The Country of Origin is a unique event. Local players and fans cast aside club loyalties for a day to represent their countries. Open to all, it's an entertaining family day out,' says organiser Sean Moore. 'The last 13 years have seen large audiences turning out and even the occasional visiting Sevens or Tens team.'

There are 10 teams taking part in this year's competition, giving people an opportunity to play for their country of birth - or the country they wish they were born in. Entry is free and players in the Hong Kong XV regularly turn up to participate.

With women's rugby a key cog in the IRB's bid for Olympic inclusion, it is no surprise that women's rugby features prominently with 10 teams, including the Australian national team for the first time.

Sandwiched in between this event at the HKFC is the annual Bali Memorial Game between The Pot Bellied Pigs RFC and the HKFC Vandals to commemorate the lives of 11 players and two entourage lost in the Bali bombing on October 12, 2002. Many of the old Tens players fly back to Hong Kong and join the fray on the pitch from 1pm to 2.10pm. Over 40 players take part every year, including some of the old legends.

The HKRFU is rightly proud of how it has grown rugby in Hong Kong from the grass-roots level, and tournaments such as the International Youth Tournament is one way that rugby is given a shot in the arm by the Sevens. The event is open to the public and takes place on Thursday, March 26, at Kings Park.

'The tournament has been running for over 10 years. It features a mixture of overseas schools and clubs with boys between 11 and 18 playing against the Hong Kong teams,' explained HKRFU's director of youth, Mike Haynes. 'It's a fantastic opportunity for local players to meet overseas competitors in the lead up to the Sevens. The tournament helps lift the standard of competition.

'In Hong Kong, no matter whether young teams are locals or expatriates, they get to know each others' style of play. Competing against different nations broadens the base. People coach differently in different countries. Being exposed to the different play that results from varying coaching styles also helps raise the bar. A whole interchange of ideas happens as a result of the annual Youth Tournament.

'These days, the majority of our Hong Kong Sevens team has come through our youth rugby training programme. This is a far cry from the days when the players were 'imported'. The fact they are a 'home grown' team shows that rugby is no longer just a sport for expatriates. There are now over 3,000 Hong Kong children involved in mini rugby, and a further 1,200 in the Colts.'

The fun flows as fast as the beer afterwards at the inProjectsKowloon International 10's RugbyFest.

'This event is first and foremost about normal people playing rugby. It's not the domain of former international superstars, well not yet anyway. Nor is the tournament for the ultra-competitive 'wannabes',' said Anson Bailey, chairman of inProjects Kowloon RFC.

'It's the realm of men that no longer dream to be the tearaway flyer down the sideline, but do long to be a member of the most efficient 'boat race' team in the rugby universe. A number of legends will be joining the fun at King's Park [on the Wednesday], including Christian Cullen, Jonathan Davies and Sean Fitzpatrick.

'This year teams are travelling from all over the world. They include the Marlow Globe Trotters [not to be confused with the Harlem variety], the Wagga Wagga Crows, the Arabian Navy, the NSW Convicts, Macau RFC, the Arabian Potbellies, the Pot Bellied Pigs RFC and the Mr Chumley-Warner's Oriental Bazaar.'

The ambassador for this year's tournament will be Jed Thian (from Alternative Rugby Commentary). Like the legends, he will be hoping to take to the pitch as well. All are welcome, and there are only a few spots left at the Quarterdeck dinner that night with Thian, John Bentley and Paul Wallace.

Some might consider watching that much live rugby in a week sheer gluttony. But with such mouthwatering fare on offer, how can you resist?

Twice the fun

Years the annual Tens tournament has taken place in Hong Kong: 22