Henry Paul is gunning for a Commonwealth Games place despite his withdrawal from this weekend's Sevens side.

Paul was withdrawn from the squad for this weekend's tournament because he is needed by second-placed Gloucester for their crucial top-of-the-table clash.

But when Paul joins up with the squad in Hong Kong, he is confident of learning quickly and using the steps he picked up as a youngster playing touch rugby, even though his Sevens experience is limited.

The open spaces ought to suit Paul's game, and with a solid defence he could become an integral member of the Commonwealth Games squad - that is certainly the RFU's plan.

"I won the Middlesex Sevens with Wigan and have played rugby league Nines. You learn playing touch rugby in New Zealand and with the likes of Jonah Lomu - there are lots of Samoans and Fijians in New Zealand - you learn to have a quick step and spin," he said.

Paul's withdrawal marks another twist to his unconventional rise to international rugby union after making a much-heralded switch from rugby league in the summer.

The former Kiwi international, who admits he is still not sure what his best position is in the 15-man game, was fast-tracked through the A team and into the full squad, making his debut as a substitute in England's 25-20 defeat to France 10 days ago.

His debut was largely one to forget and he was made available for the Chinese leg of the IRB World Series Sevens - an effective demotion as the Hong Kong tournament clashes with England's crucial Six Nations match against Wales on March 23.