The Hong Kong Rugby Union have announced a veteran squad to take part in this weekend’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, South Africa.

Hong Kong have drawn a cut-throat opening match on Friday against a resurgent Uruguay, who recently qualified for the World Series via the World Rugby Challenger tournament. A loss in that match would see Hong Kong route directly to the Bowl competition alongside the other losers of the selection round.

With talisman captain Max Woodward out of action, play-maker Russ Webb and Seb Brien step in as co-captains for Hong Kong’s eighth appearance at the short-form world cup, two of which were hosted here in 1997 and 2005 - making the HKRU the only rugby union to have staged two Rugby World Cup Sevens.

The versatile Brien, who can play out wide and in the forwards, will likely appear at hooker joined by ironman prop Michael Coverdale, Alessandro Nardoni and Callum McCullough.

Webb anchors a dangerous backline with Salom Yiu Kam-shing, Max Denmark and Harry Sayers as leading outside threats.

Hugo Stiles provides support at pivot, while Cado Lee Ka-to will manage the base of the scrum from half-back with James Christie adding further cover. Liam Doherty and Pierce Mackinlay-West are both included after making themselves fixtures on the UK tour.

The World Cup is Hong Kong’s last international warm-up for the Hong Kong Sevens in November.