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Flyer Tom Varndell believes that playing for England Sevens restored his faith in his rugby ability after two years out of the spotlight.

The winger had a dream double try Guinness Premiership debut for London Wasps in their opening day victory over Harlequins at Twickenham Stadium last weekend.

But the 23-year-old has revealed that linking up with England Sevens again last season, proved the catalyst for him whilst he was in the wilderness at Leicester Tigers last season.

Varndell was picked for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai and went onto to play at the Hong Kong Sevens and Adelaide Sevens as part of the IRB World Sevens Series.

"Sevens is fantastic for me because I get a lot of time on the ball and loads of space to run."

"The boys were massive for me last year because I was so low and I needed a boost - they did that for me." said Varndell.

With the England Sevens team traditionally used a development platform for players, Varndell’s appearances last season also shows it is also possible for the abbreviated code to be used to reinject confidence for the 15-a-side game too.

"I didn't play much for Leicester but Sevens helped me think that I'm not such a bad player - the World Cup in Dubai, Hong Kong, Adelaide, they are fantastic places.

"Ben Ryan (England Sevens Head Coach) and Ollie Phillips, who was IRB Sevens Player of the Year, were fantastic and I'd love to be part of it again.

"I'm a confidence player and last year I was low on that. But now I have that hunger and desire back that I had lost for 18 months, maybe two years."

"I'm loving my rugby at the moment."

Check out Tom Varndell’s exclusive England Sevens blogs from last season:

Tom Varndell Rugby World Cup Sevens – Part 1
Tom Varndell Rugby World Cup Sevens – Part 2
Tom Varndell Hong Kong Sevens – Part 1
Tom Varndell Hong Kong Sevens – Part 2