After nearly a year and a half without international competition, and a Covid-19-impacted domestic scene, ever-reliable captain Max Woodward will lead the way against Pool E’s Uganda, Jamaica and Chile.

He will be winged by sevens veterans Salom Yiu Kam-shing and Jamie Hood – who both featured in the city’s 2013 and 2017 Rugby World Cup Sevens campaigns, and boast 10 and nine Hong Kong Sevens tournament appearances, respectively.

Long-serving members Alex and Tom McQueen add a wealth of experience, while the likes of Cado Lee Ka-to, Michael Coverdale, Russell Webb and Raef Morrison are just about entering their prime. Former U-20s stars Alessandro Nardoni and James Christie also feature, with young Max Denmark and Liam Herbert offering speed and craftiness as witnessed at last year’s Asian Olympic qualifiers.

“So we have been treasuring every training session and making sure we’re ready both as individuals and as a team. We’re very excited and hungry for this tournament.”

France are considered the biggest preliminary threats, while other pooled teams like Ireland and Polynesian powerhouses Samoa and Tonga will be circling for the final Tokyo spot.

Extended periods without international experience is not ideal, but Yiu nonetheless believes the team can persevere and possibly cause an upset at the World Rugby Sevens Repechage.

“Typically we would be involved in a lot of competitions throughout the year but now the repechage is our only goal,” he said, adding that coaches had played a mock intra-squad tournament to help acclimate to the upcoming Monaco atmosphere.

“Despite not going overseas for training tours or playing against international teams in the build-up, our preparation has been smooth. We have played against all our pool opponents before, so they are not strangers to us. We have analysed all our opponents and have a good game plan.

“I will leave nothing out on the pitch because it’s likely my last shot at qualifying for an Olympic Games. So I’m very focused on this moment. We are ready and I am ready.”

The team will likely fly to Monaco earlier than previous events to abide by the competing teams’ one-week quarantine rule. It is expected that the squad will also be narrowed down to 12 ahead of the tournament.

The men’s Olympic rugby sevens tournament is scheduled for July 26-28. Hong Kong referee Matt Rodden will be only one of two officials representing the Asian region after being named in the 22-strong squad of match officials for the Games last month.

Hong Kong rugby fans will be able to stream the repechage matches on World Rugby’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Hong Kong men’s sevens squad

Max Woodward, Alessandro Nardoni, Alexander McQueen, James Christie, James Hood, Cado Lee Ka-to, Liam Herbert, Max Denmark, Michael Coverdale, Raef Morrison, Russell Webb, Thomas McQueen, Salom Yiu Kam-shing