WORLD CUP winner Josh Lewsey has tipped Worcester Warrior Matt Cox to return from the forthcoming Hong Kong and Adelaide Sevens as the real deal.

The 20-year-old flanker is one of five England under 20 Grand Slam winners selected by coach Ben Ryan for the fifth and sixth legs of the IRB Sevens World Series, which get under way at the Hong Kong Stadium on Friday.

Cox will be making his international sevens bow in Hong Kong and is joined in the 12-man squad by fellow Worcester ace, back-row forward James Collins, who has previously featured in the competition.

And with both players eager to impress in the action-packed shortened version of the game, Wasps star Lewsey is confident the young Warriors will return from their international adventure as the finished articles.

"Sevens is a great finishing school and, if you can prove you can perform in the sevens tour, then you will have the ability to play in 15-man rugby as well," said Lewsey.

"The 15-man game is ultimately where you get judged. The challenge is to get regular games for your club but sevens gives you the chance to express yourself and is a big help in developing you as a player.

"In terms of honing your game and your all-round skills, there are few better mediums than playing sevens.

"It doesn't matter as much if you win or lose, so more emphasis is on the development of youngsters. People can express themselves."

World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Lawrence Dallaglio have used the shortened game to further their careers - and Lewsey is backing Cox and Collins to follow suit.

England have not enjoyed the most successful of sevens' seasons - currently languishing down in seventh place in the overall standings behind the likes of Argentina and Kenya. In Hong Kong, England will be without Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care, who is now a regular at the Stoop and was called up by Brian Ashton during the Six Nations, and Bath winger Matt Banahan, who will be playing in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final.

But Ryan remains upbeat his new-look squad, which includes five members of England's under 20 Grand Slam winners, can reign supreme.

"Hong Kong is an awesome event and I know I have a side that will give their all and crawl off the pitch if needed," he said.

"This squad is full of exceptional talents and although we go into the tournament as huge underdogs - everybody is determined to do the white shirt and red rose proud."

London Wasps are sponsored by Bulldog, a natural grooming range for men available in Sainsbury's nationwide.

For further information go to www.meetthebulldog.com

6:21pm Monday 24th March 2008

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