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Robin Heymann is back on the road at the most coveted tournament on the IRB Circuit – The Cathy Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens. Join him here for Live Text Commentary of the whole 3 day tournament starting from Friday.

21:46

That's all folks. The South Stand is emptying and despite the inclement weather it has been a cracking start to the 2009 Hong Kong Sevens. No real surprises but Scotland will be delighted about their win versus the US of A and they might just fancy their chances against Kenya tomorrow. Can't wait for tomorrow - the ambiance will be unbelievable in this sevens mecca....Till then, big kisses x

21:36

France v Uruguay

Michel goes in early to a chorus of boos but Santiago Gibernau evens things up for Los Teros. Pougol, who has looked sharp in this first half, gets on the end of a typically adventurous/Moët & Chandon-sponsored move that went the length. Try of the day? Yeah go on then. Time to hydrate.

Frenchies have a sterling bunch of fans - about 20 sitting near me screaming 'allez les bleus' - and Michel listens accordingly, feeding off a loose Uruguayan ball to scoot impressively home. 17-5 to France. Los Teros keep knocking on the door but the French don't want to answer and shut them out to the end.

Match 12: Pool A – France 17 Uruguay 5

21:12

Another team the ‘refreshed’ HK crowd love to hate is the French. Similar to the Aussies, the French are to often the bridesmaids in sevens, but can’t get the continuity of selection. ‘Los Teros’ of Uruguay stand in their way for the final game of day 1. No mugs, let me tell you, these South Americans have already beaten Kenya earlier this season. Did you know veteran Uruguayan Ignacio Conti has ‘Never Surrender’ tattooed in Chinese on his arm. Can’t speak a word of it though.

Stumpy’s South Stand Update : The England boys have been in following their game earlier, dressed in immaculate polo shirts to speak to some friends and fans and to effectively get some deserved back slapping. Stumpy isn’t in fancy dress today but assures me he is going ‘large’ tomorrow. A group of blokes dressed an convicts – that’s right they were Aussies – have been on the back of a hurling tirade of abuse for four hours now but have manfully copped the flak and won some friends over - Aww.

21:12

Wales v Japan

Smart play from Tsuiki who sees a vacant Kilryong so, so, so lonely on his wing and the latter is too quick for the Welsh cover defense. Isn't life great as World Champs! Remarkable from Ifan Evan giving three whopping hand offs, before skipping and showing a decent turn of pace and the Welsh grab the lead, 7-5 as the Lucozade is bought out.

Substitute James Lewis is in early, industrially supporting his man, and Flannagan converts to give some room. Far cry from Dubai this, as the Welsh youngsters make errors left, right and centre, hampering their fluency. Great commitment from the Japanese, shutting the door ceremoniously on Wales at the end but that is your lot for this one.

Match 11: Pool B – Wales 14 Japan 5

20:50

The World Champs are up next - Wales! Still can’t quite believe it myself. They are now there to be shot at – serves them right for playing such darn good sevens in the desert! Yet rather tamely they only include three members of the winning squad this weekend, so who knows how Paul John’s charges will fare here. Wales/England tomorrow evening will be the key I feel in this Pool. First things first, the Welshies must stop Japan and their Tongan born unit/beast/big lad Illiasi Tupuailei.

20:49

Australia v Zimbabwe

No, Luke, the pleasure is all mine! Morahan proves his worth after I back him and scythes through a gap for an early green 'n gold try. Either I'm losing my marbles or I watch far too much sevens, as Captain Damo Murphy always seems to score directly after young Morahan, and its 14-0. No, no, no, that did not just happen...Daniel Hondo behind his line 'attempts' to clear but it goes about 0.1 yards and Brock is the recipient. 19-0 @ Drinks.

Morahan sees a gap and skuttles down for a trademark score and then takes a breather on the bench. Nice little linking from Willie Bishop and Richie Kingi who's speed of foot and mind works out ideally for new boy Dom Shipperley who goes over. Crowd are happy as the pantomime villains finally concedes, with Hondo making up for his previous shocker going in at the corner.

Match 10: Pool C – Australia 33 Zimbabwe 5

20:29

Right boys and girls it’s Australia/Zimbabwe. The Aussies are given the ‘boo boy’ tag at Hong Kong every year – not really sure why, but gee they do frustrate me! Yes they are young and inexperienced but they are highly talented bunch who have the ability to cause some IRB Sevens damage, but are all too often languishing in the Plate. 18 year old speedster Luke Morahan is readily turning himself into a star with a big future. The Cheetahs are their opponents here – winners of the Bowl at the World Cup.

20:26

Tonga v Portugal

First rate continuity from the Tongans sees Palei recieve an overhead pass to give the islanders an early 7 points. Back come the crafty Portuguese though, with protagonist/playmaker Pedro Leal seeing Diogo Mateus in acres and nudges it cross-field to him who slides in nicely. Portugal are really pumped for this, winning all the 50/50s.

By Jove that was lovely rugby from Tonga's troopers. Moimoi scooped then school-boy dummyed (over the head fake) before putting in his big mate Palei for his second. Game Over for Portugal as Poteki muscles over shortly after to effectively seal this one. Unexpected, but Portugal have been the much more dangerous this season out of the two.

Match 9: Pool D – Portugal 17 Tonga 5

20:07

Random Hong Sevens Fact: China’s Zhang Zhiquang is the all-time leading try and points scorer at the Hong Kong.

Tonga/Portugal's time to tread the boards - via stage left. Just briefly had some Korean 'body popping' dancers on the big screen, similar to the shapes I was throwing out in Lan Kwai Fung last night...need to tell you about that place, ruddy mental...

20:02

Canada v Samoa

Return of the Mack...that's Philip Mack to you and me who squirts over from a penalty tap to catch the Samoans cold. Great covering tackle from Meechan pulls down Aiona just short of the line but it gets scooped from the deck by the Fa'osiliva, to give the Samoans the lead before drinks. 7-5 to Samoa.

'Mack's back' again! Drowsy stuff from the Samoans and P.Mack is in for his second, the Canadians taking the lead yet again. See-saw stuff this as now Lui gets a return pass from his initial switch from Mai and the Samoans have the lead once more. Some scrappy phases of play, with tired legs coming to the fore and thats your lot.

Match 8: Pool E – Samoa 14 Canada 10

19:48

If it’s two teams who aint afraid of a confrontational bosh-filled game of Sevens its Canada and Samoa. They might not be a core 8 team anymore but the Canadians were a credit to themselves in Dubai, smashing Scotland and giving the Boks an almighty fright. Samoa, as they often seem to do, only showed flashes in Dubai – enough to reach the semis mind. If Mai and Levasa and Lolo Lui can shine…watch out.

19:47

Stumpy’s South Stand Update: Although the Friday is very much the entrée before tomorrow’s 25oz Fillet there’s a bit of commotion now stirring in the South Stand. By all accounts the notion of ‘Fancy Dress’ was actually conceived at the Hong Kongs Sevens and they are out tonight. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Cowboys and Indians and a splattering of those ridiculous ‘Fat-Suits’. Just saw one prat down his beer before sticking his hands aloft in celebration to be met by a flurry of plastic glasses and other rubbish – put in his box!

19:40

USA V Scotland

Captain Swiryn is strong and fast, he's far too strong and fast for the Scots' midfield there and the US take an early lead. What a name the Scottish number 3 has - Heffin O'Hare - he hops out of a challenge scampers away to level the ball game. Back comes the Americans though adept footwork from Pretorious, lassooing the Scots apart, supported by Naqica who glides in. Take a break chaps.

Back come the boys in navy blue and it's the very Scottish-looking flame-haired Roddy Grant who cuts his man expertly. Conversion is good and the Scots have the lead. Cue Pipes please...thanks. Justin Boyd left my mate Hefin far too much room there and 'The Hare' bags his second, jinking past the hapless Boyd. 19-12 to Scotland. Swiryn gives a lifeline going blind for his second but it's too late.

Match 7: Pool F – USA 17 Scotland 19

19:22

Penciled this one into my Starmer-Smith-esque pre-match notes as the pick of the Day 1 fixtures, it’s USA/Scotland folks. The core of the US team is gone due to player retirements and unavailability. Coach Caravelli hopes this new-look squad, now led by the impressive Kevin Swiryn, can repeat their heroics of San Diego in February. The Scots deservedly took the Plate in Dubai – but is there any danger of them stepping up to mix it with the big boys in the Cup? The bag-pipes are out. Lovely Jubbly.

19:00

Women's Final: Australia v China

Forgot to mention the crowd in Hong Kong ain't big fans of anyone from Down Unde,r with deafening boos when Becky Tayo hands off Yan to go over early. Some sensational hands and lines though from the Chinese and they hit back immediately to level things up, before boo-girl Becky again gives some daylight to the green 'n gold going in for some light refreshments.

Cheryl Soon shows cracking momentum to stay on her feet in these conditions and bully her way over early on, and China need to conjure some magic. Asap. Oooh big hand off from Debs Hogdkinson puts Yan on her backside and she's in. The Aussies are HK Champs as well as World Champions! Sure they will blowing the froth of a couple of cold ones later.

Credit to the Chinese who definitely didn't play like a bunch of snakebite garggling students, they have a real future.

HK 7s: Women’s Final: Australia 24 China 7

18:58

Right the Women are up. They are staying in the same hotel as me and everyone has been saying the World Champions Australia should cruise this. They didn't concede a point in their group matches and racked up some serious points for themselves. Their opponents, China, who are all university students, had something about them in Dubai. Although overwhelming favourites, the Aussies will be tested.

Random Hong Sevens Fact: Jonah Lomu first came to international attention at the 1994 tournament, part of a fearsome and victorious team that also included Eric Rush and Christian Cullen.

18:53

South Africa v Korea

It's stopped raining! Yeeha. Pitch is still sodden with players struggling to keep their footing, that is everyone but Snyman who goes through. But hang on, good work from Hi-Su puts in Kim Won-Yong, who's got some gas, and he is in. Coach In-Jung looks like a little boy on Xmas Day, as does the crowd who are make a deafening roar - the atmosphere is incredible... what will it be like for the big games in the next few days?! 7-7 @ Oranges.

Stick falls over his own man with the try-line begging but Benjamin spares his blushes and then Ebersohn uses the greasy surface to great effect wriggling over. The Koreans can't get their mitts on the soapy pill this half. Mbiyozo gets a lucky break from a Korean scrum - lovely 7s to finish this one off with Ebersohn and Mapoe linking nicely before Brown finishes it off.

Match 6: Pool A – South Africa 29 Korea 7

18:37

The Asian Rugby parade continues with Korea meeting South Africa. The Boks are joint Series leaders and have gone decidedly flat in the last few months after winning the first two legs at the back end of last year. Inspirational skipper Mzwandile Stick is back though and I feel he is as vital to SA as DJ Forbes is to the Kiwis. Korea are a feisty bunch of sevens operators and have played in every single HK 7s since its inception back in 1976. Game on.

Stumpy’s South Stand Update. For those of you following me in Dubai, you might remember me giving updates of my pal in the crowd/Party Liason officer ‘Stumpy’ who was constantly regaling me tales of what the craic was around the ground. Well I have some exciting news folks, the big man is back! The South Stand is where the party really rocks at the Hong Kong Stadium and that will be his home for 2.5 days – let the games commence!

18:29

England v China

Varndell will be the quickest man here I imagine and his 70m jog is good enough, feeding Drauniniu who busted a lung to reach him. Damu muscles over and then Drauniniu turns the ball over and goes in unopposed. Barrat's quick tap sees him from half-way and China are happy to hear the hooter, with England up 28-0.

Barrett takes his brace with two cheeky little breaks and good work from Cracknell. Coach Ryan brings in the reinforcements. Debutant Caprice gives Tao a punishing hand off to score his first try of a hat-trick, bringing up the fifty with a wait, show and step to go under the sticks for a 7 pointer.

Match 5: Pool B – England 54 China 0

18:18

A key part of HK 7s is that it continues to develop Asian rugby. China get their turn now. A potential sleeping dragon of rugby in my humble opinion (if sevens gets the Olympic call up) the Chinese will be under the cosh here. England boast an all-star line up with the express Varndell and all of Gollings' Sevens acumen. A hurt Ben Ryan said his team were out to ‘smash everyone’ in HK following their heart breaking extra-time defeat to Samoa in Dubai.

18:17

New Zealand v Sri Lanka

Kiwis get off to a flyer with a Raikbula brace and SL give Lawrence far too much room there and it's 19-0. The huge and powerful winger Victor Vito then does a couple of unnecessary hitch-kicks and it's raining tries...as well as cats and dogs. Damage limitation job for Sri Lanka.

Raikabula is in for his hat-trick whilst Forbes spies a gap to inflict more pain. Big Victor gets some room after quick hands from Cama. Slap tackling won't help your chances, Sri Lanka, as Hunt is giftwrapped a score. Puletua's dummy/scissors/pop works out nicely for him and it's 59 without loss for NZ.

Match 4: Pool C – New Zealand 59 Sri Lanka 0

17:55

This sounds more Test Match Cricket than HK 7s with New Zealand/Sri Lanka squaring off. Saying that though the Sri Lankans are no strangers to HK, their famous day coming in 1984 with a Bowl win, and it was only three years ago that they took down USA. NZ didn’t enjoy Dubai, and coaching guru Gordon Tietjens wasn’t best pleased – Expect a backlash from those Men in Black.

Random Hong Sevens Fact: New Zealand’s Junior Tomasi Cama is the son of former Fijian Sevens legend Tomasi Cama who was instrumental throughout Fiji’s three successive HK wins between 1990-1992.

17:55

Argentina v Hong Kong

Crowd going absolutely nuts here. Any time HK get a sniff of the line but the Pumas eventually weigh them down and there we have it, Merello is over, weaseling his way through a gap. Dobal gets in the act too and its 14-0 at the half.

Moyano is making his presence felt, getting lots of time on the ball and directing proceedings, while HK look off the pace. Caceres and Olivari are over again and some typically terrier-like ‘D’ from the South Americans is enough to secure the win.

Match 3: Pool D – Argentina 28 Hong Kong 0

17:35

Looking forward to this one! Argentina/Hong Kong are on in Pool D. Although on paper they are the in-form team, currently the Pumas World Cup/Winning San Diego side has been severely depleted with injuries and unavailability. World Cup qualifiers, Hong Kong (HK), promised loads in Dubai but could never finish off any of their flying starts. With the outstanding Keith Robertson in the midst I’m backing them to pull a rabbit out of the proverbial hat here, though, with a rampant support base.

17:33

Fiji v Chinese Taipei

Fiji start off well, pressing early, but CT's tackling is tight. The Chinese get some ball now but the Fijians are putting the guillotine down early and shunt them into touch. Nasoni Roko breaks the deadlock nicely and doubles the advantage at the half.

More of the same from CT who are fearless, running direct and hard, but it's Towai who does the damage with two quick scores both from good running and work at the breakdown from Vucago. Goneva feeds Sareki to put the finishing touches to a comfortable win for the proud 7s island. The real business is Samoa who they face tomorrow.

Result: Pool E - Fiji - 33 Chinese Taipei 0

17:25

Fiji were rocked at the QF stage in Dubai by those Kenyans, and Toby, media man for the Kenyans, has just confirmed his boys dispatched them again in a ‘training game’ on Wednesday - oh dear. Heads and confidence seem down from them in recent times and where’s the fluency? A nice jog out against Chinese Taipei might settle some nerves here. Keeping my eyes out for Wang Kuo Feng though for CT – Nigel Starmer-Smith (aka Starmers – "the voice" of rugby) tells me he’s pretty special.

17:24

Kenya v West Indies

What did I tell you - great start from the Windies with an early break and the flying Claudius Butts (cracking name) blazing over, gaining decent purchase on the slide too. 5-0. Knock-ons a plenty in this one and it's not pretty... neither is the rain that is seeping into this press area - get me a plastic sheet asap, Drives.

Aiymaba's half-time rocket pays dividends with Injera making a clean break, jazz-stepping the West Indian sweeper with aplomb. Kick ping-pong for a few phases of play and Kayange's blind side run works as does Asego's a minute later, 17-5 to Kenya. The Windies get the deserved last word though, with Tom Healy skating up the touch line after some great support.

Result: Pool F – Kenya 17 West Indies 10

16:42

First up on stage to kicks us off is Kenya and the West Indies. Kenya are notoriously slow starters at these gigs but they have been in scintillating form this season, storming to the semis in Dubai only for them to run out of steam against the Pumas. ‘The Windies’ haven’t featured in the IRB Sevens since San Diego last year, so are relatively ‘cold’ as far elite competition goes. Let’s see how they fare.

16:40

The format here is similar to the World Cup – 3 days of competition, with 24 teams, with the first round of Pool games tonight. We also have the Women’s Final on tonight too!

Weather Update: Ok so I had it pretty good in Dubai, 35 degrees of unadulterated sun…yadda yadda. I gloated and it’s come back to haunt me. Been drizzling steadily here most of today and now it’s teeming down whilst being pretty hot, humid and sticky. Interesting to see how the players handle the greasy soap of a ball and also how my BO holds up in the heat – forgot my deodorant back home in the UK and haven’t made the journey to the plethora of old school 7/11s they have here to pick some up. I’m a Lynx man if you’re asking.

16:31

This is the most famous and celebrated Rugby Sevens tournament in the world. Think the grandeur of The Wimbledon Championships dovetailed with New Years Eve-esque celebrations and you might be able to picture what sort of gig we have on our hands here for three days. All the action for the next three days is here with me LIVE on UR7s with our unique, informative, educational, and occasionally ’witty’(?) ‘Text Commentary’.

I’m here at the magical in So Kan Pah at the Hong Kong Stadium. It’s an awesome stadium, a completely different vibe from Dubai - on a hill on a island, nestled amongst some parkland. UR7s has been given a prime position. You won’t miss a thing following us and I hope to give you a genuine insight into what really goes on at this epic spectacle.

16:09

Greetings rugby fans from the beautiful and intriguing city of Hong Kong! Following the fireworks of the World Cup in Dubai’s desert a few weeks ago, the IRB Sevens World Series is back in the mixer and it’s another biggie. Yes the World Cup is the one they all wanted but now they all really, really want this one too – It’s the Cathy Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens!! Woop woop - cue you getting all tremendously excited.