England World Cup winner Jason Robinson hotfooted it from the Hong Kong leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series to take in the first day of the world’s biggest school’s rugby tournament – the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens.

While Robinson would have seen some of the finest players the sport has to offer at the moment in Hong Kong, at the National Schools Sevens ‘Billy Whizz’ saw some of the stars of tomorrow in action. Robinson took the sport’s highest honour when he lifted the 2003 World Cup under Martin Johnson’s skippership, but who’s to say that on the opening day of the tournament – where the Junior (Under-13s) and Preparatory entrants (Under-13s) got their campaigns underway – there wasn’t a future England international tearing up the tournament?

Stars like Ugo Monye, Lawrence Dallaglio and Will Carling have played in the event in the past – with current England Sevens internationals such as Chris Lewis-Pratt and Sam Edgerley also cutting their teeth in the tournament – and Robinson is quick to emphasise the importance of the famous competition for the current crop of youngsters.

Robinson said: “I only got into the airport at 6.20am this morning and came straight here. I came here for the first time last year and I never realised just how big and impressive this tournament is. I’ve seen so many kids and schools today and they are all so enthusiastic – it is the tournament to be involved with if you are playing rugby at school.

“I have just come from Hong Kong and to see the players turning out at the highest level was brilliant – but then to come here at grassroots and the talent on show illustrates just how much the game is growing. It’s great for the skill set and the main thing is that the children are enjoying it.

“Having HSBC here is also fantastic – we’ve held skill sessions, Q&A’s and autograph sessions so while Hong Kong was a brilliant experience with all  – it’s great to be at the grassroots end.

“It’s a fantastic place for the children to learn about themselves, their own skills and learn about other teams. But what sets it apart is the fact that you have players of different abilities. It’s a great introduction to the game for the players and to get youngsters out and involved in team sport.”

Photograph by capturetheevent.com