In the second of our Hong Kong Sevens 'Pool lowdowns' we run the rule over the four nations in Pool B, headed by joint World Series leaders, England.
POOL B LOWDOWN (ENG, USA, JPN, CHN) >>
England
Last season in HK: Cup semi finals
Last season in World Series: 5th
Position this season: 1st=
Best result this season: Cup winners (Dubai)
Result at last event: Cup semi finalists (Las Vegas 2011)
Top try-scorer this season: Mat Turner (12)
Top try-scorer all time: Ben Gollings (211)
Last 30 World Series matches: W20, D1, L9
MORE FORM GUIDES AND NOTES >>
Champions in Hong Kong four times between 2002 and 2006, punctatued only by Fiji's victory at the Rugby World Cup Sevens on the same stage in 2005, England can always count on a 13th man in the large ex-pat crowd here. Captain Ben Gollings continues to stand the test of time and the likes of James Rodwell in the forwards and Dan Norton out wide have been superb so far this season. The loss of Isoa Damu would be a huge blow to any side and he is tough to replace but England's team spirit is strong under coach Ben Ryan. Where once their strength was founded on speedsters like Ugo Monye and Tom Varndell, now there's more craft and measure to their play through the likes of Dan Caprice and the under-rated John Brake. Still, they need a big Hong Kong to relight the torch that has been dying out ever so slightly since the superb Dubai title in December. Maybe a returning Oliver Lyndsay-Hague is the man to reignite them.
USA
Last season in HK: Plate semi finals
Last season in World Series: 10th
Position this season: 11th
Best result this season: Cup quarter finals (Dubai)
Result at last event: Shield winners (Las Vegas 2011)
Top try-scorer this season: Zach Test (11)
Top try-scorer all time: Jovesa Naivalu (47)
Last 30 World Series matches: W11, L19
MORE FORM GUIDES AND NOTES >>
The biggest threat to England in this pool and possessing genuine world class in the Sevens game. Captain Matt Hawkins is a fine forward; former wide receiver Zach Test a lynchpin who has been moulded by Al Caravelli into a very good hooker and who is almost without peer in the re-start aerial combat; Paul Emerick is all muscle and aggression and watch out too for Miles Craigwell - still a Miami Dolphin just a few months ago. Todd Clever's return following a pro season in Japan is also timely, given the need for extra experience in Hong Kong.
Japan
Last season in HK: Bowl quarter finalists
Last season in World Series: No Series points
Position this season: No Series points
Best result this season: Shield runners-up (USA)
Result at last event: Shield runners-up (2011 Las Vegas)
Top try-scorer this season: Aisea Havea, Lepuha Latulla, Siona Teaupa (2)
Top try-scorer all time: Ryohei Miki (25)
Last 30 World Series matches: W10, L20
MORE FORM GUIDES AND NOTES >>
The undisputed giants of Asian rugby, but Japan don't always have it their own way in the Sevens code. Yasanori Nagamoto was their hero in November when his late try secured a 28-21 victory over Hong Kong and Gold at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. Went down narrowly, 12-10, to Scotland in last year's Hong Kong Bowl quarter finals. The players here have the added incentive of knowing that the senior national team coach, John Kirwan, will be sitting in the stands.
China
Last season in HK: Shield quarter finals
Last season in World Series: No Series points
Position this season: No Series points - first tournament this season
Best result this season: N/A
Result at last event: Shield quarter finalists (Hong Kong 2010)
Top try-scorer this season: N/A
Top try-scorer all time: Zhang Zhiqiang (42)
Last 30 World Series matches: W7, L23
MORE FORM GUIDES AND NOTES >>
With 25 to his name, the all time leading try scorer at the Hong Kong Sevens is China's Zhang 'Johnny' Zhiqiang and up until 2009 their poacher supreme was still out there on the pitch doing what he does best. Unfortunately, his 'golden age' was unaccompanied in terms of other Chinese players at that same level but the exciting new era of Olympic inclusion for Sevens has breathed new life into Chinese rugby. The nation's women are fast making a name for themselves and if the billions are ever mobilised in the men's game, heaven knows what they can achieve.
