Rowan Varty stood down as Hong Kong sevens team captain

Hong Kong will be back to full strength for the second leg of the HSBC Asian Sevens Series in Thailand this weekend but Rowan Varty will relinquish the captaincy to Jamie Hood as he focuses on earning his stripes as a lawyer.

Varty is one of four players who missed the first leg in Malaysia earlier this month as he was on duty at the China National Games. But despite being back in the fray, it was felt that playmaker Hood, who led the team in Kuala Lumpur, should continue as captain.

"We want to take all the pressure off Rowan. He is heavily engaged studying for his final exams to become a solicitor and it was best he just concentrate on his role as a player," said sevens coach Dai Rees. "Rowan has been a magnificent ambassador but he has other pressing commitments now and it is only fair that the burden of captaincy be taken off his shoulders."

Varty's work career has also resulted in him only opting to become a part-time athlete at the Sports Institute, unlike Hood who is on a full-time scholarship. This might have also played a part in the role reversal, with the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union probably preferring a full-time athlete as captain.

"Jamie is a natural leader and has done very well in terms of establishing himself as a first-choice player after Keith Robertson left for pilot training in Australia. As a captain he has earned the trust and respect of the team," said Rees.

Apart from Varty, three other players who featured at the National Games in Shenyang, return to the Asian Sevens Series squad - winger Salom Yiu Kam-shing, scrumhalf Alex McQueen and prop Simon Leung Ho-yam.