When the England squad flew in for the Hong Kong Sevens, which get underway today (Friday), it was something of a homecoming for NEC Harlequins star Tom Williams, writes Jessica Chambers The 23-year-old, whose dad is a pilot for Cathay Pacific, grew up in Hong Kong and began his rugby career at the Kai Tak club.

"I lived in Hong Kong for 13 years and went to Boundary School and a school called Gun Club on Kowloon," said Williams.

"I was born in Brighton, but my family moved here when I was about one and my younger brother was born here.

"I started playing rugby on a Sunday instead of going to Sunday school and a lot of ex-pat children played for the same club as me."

Williams' only previous England Sevens appearance came in the victorious 2004 Hong Kong Sevens, when Gloucester's last-minute decision not to release Henry Paul led to his first cap.

"It was all quite sudden," said Williams. "I hadn't been involved with the England Sevens set-up, but Quins put me forward and I was lucky enough to get the call up."

That team included captain Simon Amor and Tony Roques - both also involved in this year's squad.

"Playing in the sevens over here was amazing," said Williams.

"When I was growing up I played as a kid at the old stadium.

"It was an amazing experience to come back and play where I had begun playing rugby."

Growing up, Williams was always aware of the significance of the sevens in Hong Kong's calendar.

"There is such a big ex-pat community and the sevens brings everyone together to have a massive party," he said.

His rugby career could easily have taken a different turn - Williams played for Wales U16 and U19 before switching to England.

"At 16s level I wasn't selected for my counties side, Berkshire, because Nils Mordt, who is also part of the England Sevens squad, was already playing inside centre.

"I had links with Wales through my grandfather so played up to 19s for them."

Williams, is in his fifth season with Quins since arriving from Wellington College, which has also produced Ben Russell, Dominic Shabbo and James Haskell.

"Wellington is a very sporting school and we were lucky enough to have a successful couple of years at rugby," said Williams.

"At the start of this season I was determined to play well for Quins and get regular selection, but I also looked to England Sevens and the Saxons.

"I didn't have the best start to the season but am working hard to get back into the Quins side and see what happens."

Williams is a big fan of sevens rugby and believes others could benefit from playing the game more often.

"If everyone played sevens you would get props passing to each other and running around people rather than into them.

"That would make a big difference and mean an advancement of the game.

"Sevens teaches you how to play under pressure and with fatigue and it does genuinely help improve your game."

Despite being part of coach Ben Ryan's 13-man squad, Williams' family are unable to join him on his homecoming.

"When I played in 2004 my family all flew over to watch me and were very proud, but they can't come this time.

"My father is still a pilot but has to fly back to London on Thursday so can't stay and watch.

"Unfortunately he wasn't flying the plane we flew us in - or else I would have been upgraded!"

England's first pool game match is against Hong Kong at 5.58pm local time today or 10.58pm BST.

BBC2 will be providing coverage on Sunday (11.30am).