As a “scrawny, skinny little Indian kid” Shiven Dukhande grew used to people telling him his goal of playing professional rugby was a pipe dream.

To underline that opinion, Dukhande, who became obsessed with the sport from his first USRC Tigers training session, aged eight, would look at those forging rugby careers and see “no one who was the same colour as me”.

Now the owner of two Hong Kong sevens caps, and with a goal of earning many more, Dukhande said he wanted to be the “role model I didn’t have”.

“If I can inspire the younger generation, that’ll be my job completed,” the 25-year-old said.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dukhande played football and cricket until it was suggested to his parents that rugby would be an ideal outlet for their “naughty and aggressive” child.

For his part, Dukhande was immediately drawn to the rough and tumble of the sport.