WORLD RUGBY U20 TROPHY 2024

Hong Kong China were playing the Samoans for just the third time in their history and both sides came into the match looking for a first win in Edinburgh, but it was the Samoans who triumphed in an entertaining match at Hive Stadium on Friday.

Hong Kong China U20s faced another tough opponent in the second match of the World Rugby U20 Trophy at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on Sunday 7 July, which was also the first time these two sides had ever faced each other.

Ominously, although Hong Kong China had lost to the Japanese 105-20, Scotland had won by an even bigger margin of 123-15 over Samoa to set a new tournament score record.

Hong Kong China U20s Head Coach Joe Barker said following the loss to Japan that they were seeking an 80-minute performance in this tournament, and although the side ventured into the Scots 22m area several times, they couldn't convert opportunities against a powerful Scots side and failed to score in the 101-0 loss.

The opening clash of the World Rugby U20 Trophy saw Asian Pool A contenders Hong Kong China and Japan play at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on Tuesday 2nd July. This was the first international World Rugby tournament fixture between the two, and the Japanese finished 105-20 winners.

The Japanese are among the tournament favourites based on their record in the U20 Trophy and were playing the second-tier U20s competition after coming last in the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 in South Africa, while Hong Kong China qualified after winning the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) U19 tournament in late 2023.