The Welsh campaign for World Cup glory received a last-minute setback when seven players were ruled out.
Among the missing are five key players: Jonathan Davies, Scott Gibbs, Rob Howley, Colin Charvis and Neil Jenkins, all of who were injured or became unavailable after last Saturday at Cardiff Arms Park, as England rumbled to a Five Nations victory. With the five international stars in their midst, the Welsh looked dangerous. But without them will the Welsh Dragon breathe fire? Apart from England and France, Wales had looked like the other Northern Hemisphere sides most likely to pose a challenge to the traditional giants of sevens rugby south of the equator.
Welsh coach Kevin Bowring admitted the spate of injuries has hit his side badly.
But says it will all depend on the team coming together as a unit in the past few days since arriving in Hong Kong.
'It will all depend on if the players have been able to come out of their 15s mode. The timing of this tournament is not ideal as far as we are concerned,' said Bowring.
It is a familiar cry from teams from the North. The players have just finished one of the most interesting Five Nations tournaments ever and gone through a tough European Cup - as well as playing in their domestic leagues. Now the Home Unions and France have to make an instant switch from the 15-a-side game if they are to be realistic contenders.