RISING STARS READY FOR ASIA RUGBY U18 SEVENS IN HOHHOT

The Asia Rugby Emirates U18 7s Championship will take place in Hohhot, China, from 13–14 September 2025. The tournament will feature the brightest young rugby talent from across the continent, with representative teams competing over two days of fast-paced sevens action.

The U18 Men’s Championship will feature two competitive pools. Pool A includes Hong Kong China, India, China, and Qatar, while Pool B brings together Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and Kazakhstan.

In the U18 Women’s Championship, Pool C will see Hong Kong China, China, and Kazakhstan joined by a scheduled bye, while Pool D features Malaysia, India, Japan, and Uzbekistan.

The Hong Kong China U18 Men’s and Women’s squads also feature several standout young players already making their mark at higher levels. Emily Fisher and Elsie Hulme both represented Hong Kong China in the Asia Rugby Emirates U20 Sevens 2025 while training with the Women’s Sevens programme at the Hong Kong Sports Institute. On the men’s side, Floris Kennes, Benjamin Marks, and Ryan Schroeder have also been recognised within the U20 pathway. Their inclusion highlights the depth of emerging rugby talent and the strength of Hong Kong China’s player development system.

The group will be supported by an impressive cohort of management, including Welsh international Sian Moore, Hong Kong China’s most capped Sevens player Salom Yiu Kam Shing, Welsh Sevens star Luke Treharne, and Crusaders, Dragons & Edinburgh alumnus Sam Beard. Full-time Hong Kong China sevens player Billy Rigby has also been given the nod as assistant coach of the women’s team. 

 On his pre-tournament thoughts, women’s coach Luke Treharne said: 

“We’re really looking forward to it and we can see the girls are excited, gelling as a team.”

“They've taken to everything so quickly and adapted very well. I'm really looking forward to see how they put it out on the pitch. Three of my top players to watch - Emily, Lizzie and Elsie have trained with the women's senior program, so that shows us that the pathway is working, which is brilliant. I can’t wait to see how they take their game to another level in China.”

Men’s coach Tomos Howells had similar sentiments: 

“From a rugby point of view, we want them to get out there and show us what they can do. I want them to go out there, express themselves, have a go and just play some good rugby. So we're all about moving the ball and having a go at the opposition, and seeing what they can bring”.

“It's been great having Salom on board. He’s obviously an absolute legend of the game in Hong Kong. All the players love him, and he even jumps in the session now and again, so it's been great.” 

“There are a couple of boys getting their first opportunity to play in an international tournament, so it'll be great to see how they get on. And overall, we're looking to go well this weekend - we obviously want to win it! This is really exciting for the future of Hong Kong rugby, really. There's some very, very exciting players on the team.”

Fans will be able to follow the tournament live through Asia Rugby’s official streaming platforms on YouTube and Facebook, with fixtures and results available on the Asia Rugby website.

U18 Men’s Squad

Sebastian ATKINS; Luca CAVANAGH; Oliver FISHER; Arthur GRISLAIN; Huw HAND; Tomos HAND; Floris KENNES; Benjamin MARKS; Matthew McQUHAE; Oliver PHILLIPS; Ryan SCHROEDER; Ronin TALWAR

Team Management

Tomos HOWELLS; Salom YIU; Stephen MUTCH; Lane PROCTER; Sam BEARD

U18 Women’s Squad

Aleena AZAROVA; Lea EL-ASMAR; Emily FISHER; Elsie HULME; Katie HULBERT; Sara HARRIES; Beca JOHN; Ahlia KORAM; Saidhb MARTIN; Jennica NARAG; Elizabeth STANTON; Holly TERREBROOD

 

Team Management

Luke TREHARNE; Billy RIGBY; Lane PROCTER; Sophie RAINE; Siân MOORE