Wing wonder Tom Varndell will be hoping to put his and England's World Cup heartbreak behind him by lifting the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens title in a fortnight.
Four-time champions England have made only one change to the squad who lost in sudden death to Samoa in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last week. Ben Jones replaces Italy-based Andy Vilk.
But most significantly, they have retained Varndell, who was one of the top try-scorers in Dubai with seven touchdowns, and Exeter Chiefs trio, scrumhalf Kevin Barrett and influential forwards Chris Cracknell and Josh Drauniniu. Also returning will be Ben Gollings, a favourite with the local fans.
'Hong Kong is the tournament of the IRB Series and I can't wait to go back there and be involved,' Varndell said. 'Hong Kong and Dubai are my favourite tournaments, but Hong Kong is on another level.'
Varndell, who has fallen out of favour from Martin Johnson's Six Nations side, has had only one previous appearance in Hong Kong - in 2006 when England defeated Fiji 26-24 to notch up their fourth title.
England will roll out all their the big guns at the March 27-29 showpiece at the sold-out Hong Kong stadium. Apart from Varndell, England sevens coach Ben Ryan has also retained the services of his two Fijian-born stars, Drauniniu and Isoa Damudamu.
Both players figured prominently in Dubai before Samoa pulled off a shock 31-26 win in sudden death.
