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Sam Agars

England sevens scrum-half Jack Walsh hopes a strong showing for Samurai at the GFI HKFC Tens will hold him in good stead in his bid to return to the national sevens side.
Walsh, who is part of the England squad but has yet to play a game this season, was impressive as Samurai turned in a solid performance on day one at Hong Kong Football Club.
The 22-year-old, who is on the comeback from shoulder surgery, played in the Hong Kong Sevens last year.
It’s hard sitting behind the likes of Tom Mitchell and Dan Bibby. If I go well here it will help my chances 
Jack Walsh on his HKFC Tens appearance
He said he would welcome a return to the squad for this year's event should there be a last-minute injury, but remained realistic.
"It's hard sitting behind the likes of Tom Mitchell and Dan Bibby," Walsh said.
"If I go well here it will help my chances. Simon's [Amor, England's sevens coach] here watching. It all depends on how the boys go on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If there are injuries, then maybe I have a chance for Tokyo [next week]."
Walsh, playing in his first HKFC Tens tournament, scored a try in Samurai's comfortable 31-0 win over Natixis HKFC.
Although this time around it is likely to be as a spectator rather than in an England jersey, he is eagerly awaiting his return to Hong Kong Stadium tomorrow.
"It's an awesome venue," Walsh said. "It's got such a big reputation as having one of the best atmospheres. It's the best venue I have played at."
In Wednesday's Tens matches, defending champions BGC Asia-Pacific Dragons went undefeated to top pool A and they will meet second-placed pool B team French Pyrenees in the quarter-finals on Thursday.Waisea Nacuqu, who played for Fiji at last year's Hong Kong Sevens and is part of the current Fijian squad, was one of the stars for the Dragons with six tries.
Tradition YCAC is shaping as one of the Dragons' main rivals after topping pool B, with coach Simon Ryan hopeful they can build on their three first-day wins. "We are well-placed for a run at the semis and from then on it's anyone's," Ryan said.
"The boys are used to playing sevens at the moment and they are not used to the contact and aggression that comes with tens.
"Coming out of sevens it normally takes a couple of games [to get used to tens]. Every year it is the same with us. The boys are very adaptive."Former New Zealand sevens players George Tilsley and Rocky Khan were prominent throughout the day for Tradition YCAC, who will meet the Irish Vikings in Thursday's quarter-finals.
A highlight of the day was the local derby that saw Taikoo Place Scottish Exiles score a late try to defeat Natixis HKFC 15-12.
The Scottish Exiles booked a quarter-final date with the French Development Team, who upset fourth seed and 2013 champions Penguin International 7-0 to top pool D.
It leaves the Penguins with a tough quarter-final match-up with Samurai. The Stockholm Exiles and A Trade Overseas Old Boys should feature prominently in the Bowl competition.


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Tens Rugby

England’s Jack Walsh makes sevens statement at Hong Kong Tens

Jack Walsh dashes to the tryline for Samurai at Hong Kong Football Club on Wednesday. Photos: SCMP Pictures  

Roy Kinikinilau of BGC Asia-Pacific Dragons proves hard to handle for the GFI East Africans.

Former All Blacks Sevens player George Tilsley tries to offload the ball to a Tradition YCAC team-mate.

Sport

Rugby

Scrum-half impressive for Samurai in bid to return to Red Rose sevens line-up


England sevens scrum-half Jack Walsh hopes a strong showing for Samurai at the GFI HKFC Tens will hold him in good stead in his bid to return to the national sevens side.


HK Rugby Sevens 2015