Lee is “a bit sad to not play the top teams like New Zealand and Australia, because we can measure where we are against them”.

Equally, he understands the argument that says Hong Kong should earn the right to face elite opposition, rather than falling back on wild cards.

“This is a chance to keep proving we are the best team in Asia,” Lee said. “I have never lost to China, and I want to keep that going.

“I get a bit nervous every time we play them, but once I am on the field, I forget that and focus on beating them.”

Japan are similarly meaningful opponents for Lee. A season playing for NEC Green Rockets in the country’s 15-a-side league in 2017-18 changed his outlook on the sport.

“I learned about their mentality of never giving up,” he said. “When we used to play against Japan, they would always find ways to come back to win.

“I learned how they train – I never saw anyone giving up. If they are exhausted after a hard session, they go out to do extras for half an hour.

“I thought, ‘If you are doing that, I will do the same, if not a bit more.’ I wanted to match their level.”

Lee’s light bulb moment was quickly followed by Hong Kong beating Japan in the sevens final of the 2018 Asian Games. Groves’ side defeated Japan in the semi-final of last year’s Games tournament, too, before retaining their crown in the final against South Korea, with Lee scoring a try in their 14-7 victory.

Japan gained significant revenge when they broke Hong Kong hearts with two late tries in last November’s Asian Olympic qualifying final. In turn, Lee crossed twice when Hong Kong thumped Japan 42-7 at this month’s Challenger Series leg in Uruguay.

“Since I came back from Japan, we have known that if we continue to match them into the second half of matches, we can win,” he said. “We did not previously have it in us to come back to win, but that has changed.”

Lee, who came to rugby late after starting to play when he studied at college in England, is in terrific personal form. He scored twice in quarter-final and semi-final victories over Tonga and Kenya respectively in Uruguay, before the hosts defeated Hong Kong in the final.

“Everyone around me is giving me a high level of confidence, which frees me to have a go at teams, and play the way I am,” Lee said.

“I have been consistent, and I am feeling pretty good going into this tournament.”

Lee insists the novelty of the Hong Kong Sevens has never worn off, with confirmation of his latest selection sending a shiver down the spine.

“I always get excited at this time of year, knowing I am going to play in Hong Kong Stadium,” he said.

“It meant so much growing up, and after playing for 10 years, the excitement is not different from the first time.

“The atmosphere is special, and you are playing in front of your family and best mates. Knowing they are in the stands, and feeling the level of support, gives you extra energy.

“It is the last one at this stadium, so we have to enjoy it. I cannot wait to run through the tunnel and onto the field to hear people shouting for Hong Kong. I train all year to get that feeling and play in this amazing tournament.”