“It is a great idea – the more we promote sevens in Hong Kong, and give chances for players to impress, the better,” Groves said. “This will provide an opportunity for players outside our system to put themselves forward [for Hong Kong selection].”

The 10-year plan identifies a link between success for Hong Kong teams and creating the role models who can inspire increased participation and engagement.

“The players are motivated to grow the game, in Hong Kong and internationally,” Groves said. “They are keen on getting into schools to deliver coaching clinics and engaging with the community game.”

The latest opportunity for Groves’ team to win more Hongkongers’ hearts comes in Munich this weekend. Hong Kong are fifth in the overall Challenger Series standings, level on points with the hosts in fourth.

The top four teams qualify for grand finals weekend in Madrid, where they will battle the bottom four from the HSBC SVNS Series for four spots on next year’s elite circuit.

Hong Kong are pooled in Munich with Mexico, Tonga and Uganda, and Groves urged his side to repeat their fast start from leg two, two months ago in Uruguay, where they obliterated Japan 42-7 in their opening game, and eventually reached the final.

“If you start with a lacklustre performance, it can escalate into a negative spiral,” Groves said.

“The way we started in Uruguay really helped in the tough games … we want to generate confidence and momentum from the first match, against Mexico.

“We cannot control what Germany do, nor how our opponents perform. We can, though, manage our mindset, and do everything to win. We are underdogs, but if we put in performances we can be proud of, and show the same consistency as in Uruguay, that will put us in a good position.”

Groves had the rare luxury of choosing the same 12-man squad that went to South America in March.

Nonetheless, he wrestled with his “toughest selection” before opting to exclude the quartet of Max Woodward, Mike Coverdale, James Sawyer and Salom Yiu Kam-shing, who all starred in last month’s Melrose Claymores success at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Max Denmark, Seb Brien, Liam Doherty and Callum McCullough all return after missing the home event.

“They are some of our best players, the game breakers and try scorers, and we needed them for this tournament,” Groves said.

Groves scheduled activities throughout the day, after the team landed in Germany at 7am on Monday, to quicken acclimatisation to a six-hour time difference.

Hong Kong will play Portugal in a warm-up game on Wednesday, before steadily dialling down ahead of Saturday’s group matches. Unlike the previous two legs, which were staged over three days, the knockout stages are all crammed into Sunday.

“It will take some adjusting, but it is one fewer day of waking up with aches and pains,” Groves said.

“Our squad can match the others for physicality and intensity; it is then about how they recover, and do their homework to prepare for the next game.”

Hong Kong will stay in Munich if they qualify for Madrid, and summon additional players when they reach the Spanish capital. The three-day grand finals begin on May 31, three weeks before the Olympic repechage competition in Monaco.

“We would have an eye on the repechage, but we want to see where we are against some of the world’s best teams and players,” Groves said.

“We play a lot of Tier 2 rugby, so [Madrid] would be a great experience for the players.”