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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:03:22:14:59 by Kath..

Excellent start for England

Result: England 42-5 Hong Kong



First Half England 7-5 Hong Kong: So it's half-time and a slow start from the English.

An early Kevin Barrett yellow card allowed Hong Kong to open the scoring, through trainee pilot Mark Goosen. But England got back into the match with a Tom Biggs try. Gollings converted and England's lead is narrow.

Second Half England 42-5 Hong Kong: An improved second half from England who ran away with it in the end. Tom Varndell opening his RWC Sevens account, and leading points scorer in IRB Sevens Ben Gollings with 22 points.

The Hong Kong side were spirited, and Mark Goosen will be delighted to get his team on the score board, in their tough opener.

Varndell can fly high in Dubai - Ryan



BEN RYAN believes that flying Tom Varndell can shine in Dubai as England bid for Rugby World Cup Sevens glory this weekend.

The winger, who has clocked 10.8 seconds for the 100 metres, is back in the England Sevens squad for the first time in two years for the three day pinnacle of the shortened game (March 5-7).

Head Coach Ryan said: "We've added Tom on the wing, which is exciting, and I'm sure he will thrive in the World Cup environment.

"Everybody is fit and we have a very settled squad. To go to a World Cup in the form we are in is exciting. I have never known a group that have been as close knit off the field and that has undoubtedly been the number one reason we have made so many finals and are in the position we are in."

Varndell cannot wait, saying: "It's going to be incredible. The highlights of my career have been with the sevens squad, especially three years ago when we went to the Commonwealth Games (and won silver) but I've never been involved a World Cup.

"It's going to be hot and the quality of teams we are playing is very high. But we have a fantastic squad and hopefully I can be part of that and we can come away winners."

England Women go into the tournament as one of the favourites and Assistant Coach Mike Friday said: "These girls are immensely dedicated to their sport and while they are 'amateur' it's in name only. The way they dedicate themselves outside of their working lives to getting in shape to go after this World Cup is testament to them."

Fans can watch the whole tournament from the comfort of their own home on line - check out [live.rwcsevens.com] for further details.

Also on this week's rfu.com podcast:

*Robbo's back - 15 months after retiring, Jason Robinson gives his thoughts on becoming Sale Sharks new Head Coach.

*Myler muses - Northampton Saints and England Saxons fly-half Stephen Myler takes time out from a tag session for 140 children to look forward to the EDF Energy Cup double-header between his own Northampton Saints against Cardiff Blues and Gloucester Rugby v Ospreys at the Ricoh Area, Coventry on March 28.

*Ireland thoughts - Martin Johnson, Mark Cueto and James Haskell reflect on England's one-point defeat to Ireland at Croke Park and what might have been but for 'silly mistakes'.

For the full interviews, check out today's rfu.com podcast at www.rfu.com/podcast. Here, you can listen to the weekly podcast or subscribe to itunes and have it delivered straight to your inbox each week.

The rfu.com podcast takes you inside English rugby from the grassroots to the elite

England 42 - 5 Hong Kong

Tom Varndell celebrated his sevens comeback by scoring two tries against Hong Kong in England's opening match of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai.

Varndell, who last appeared for England in Dubai 2005 where his ten try tally earned him the 'Player of the Tournament' award, flew in for England's second and last try of the match.

Hong Kong were first on the scoreboard as England went behind in the third minute of the first half. They quickly recovered with Tom Biggs tearing through Hong Kong's defence to score just before half time. Ben Gollings converted for England to take the lead at the break.

England found their way over the line five times during the second half. Varndell was first, tearing up the left wing to score right under the posts for Gollings to convert.

Some secure handling from Chris Cracknell and Kevin Barrett awarded Gollings with his first try of the tournament and he added a second after the restart by running through two defenders and converted both.

Replacement Josh Drauniniu came on to make his mark late in the second half, avoiding two tackles on his way to the line with Gollings keeping his 100% kicking record to take the scores to 35-5 with a minute remaining.

It was left to the Leicester speedster to have the last say, and after some defending from England, topped his comeback with a try on the final buzzer. Gollings converted taking the final score to 42-5.

England face Tunisia tomorrow at 11.22am local time, GMT +4.

England: Isoa Damudamu (British Army/London Wasps), Rob Vickerman (Leeds Carnegie), Ollie Phillips (Newcastle Falcons), Kevin Barrett (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Gollings (Gold Coast, Australia), Tom Biggs (Leeds Carnegie), Chris Cracknell (Exeter Chiefs)

Replacements: Josh Drauniniu (Royal Navy/Exeter Chiefs), Tom Varndell (Leicester Tigers), Andy Vilk (Benetton Treviso).

Tries: Biggs, Varndell (2), Gollings (2), Drauniniu

Conversions: Gollings (6)

Yellow Card: Barrett

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, Dubai, March 5-7

England results:

Thursday March 5, 2009

England 43-5 Hong Kong