The Hong Kong men’s sevens squad will feature five new faces for the opening leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Hong Kong (1-2 September at Kings Park).

As defending champions, Hong Kong top pool A alongside China, Malaysia and the Philippines for the opening leg, while Sri Lanka top Pool B ahead of South Korea, Japan and Chinese Taipei.

Following a final training camp with the Germany Sevens team last week in Heidelberg, coach Paul John has tipped five new players to make their Asian debut. Kane Boucaut and Jack Neville, both seconded from the fifteen-a-side Elite Rugby Programme for the sevens campaign, have been selected for the opening leg of the three-tournament series.

Former U20s sevens players Hugo Stiles, Seb Brien and Fong Kit-fung will also make their senior Asian debuts in this week’s home opener.

The new players performed well in Germany, said John:

“It was a really good experience. They play a very physical game and can test us ability-wise. There’s not a lot between the two sides. All of the new players impressed, and looking at what we’ve lost for this year’s campaign, that’s timely,” said John.

The new call-ups provide welcome support after the unavailability of several senior players, including Max Woodward and Lee Ka-to, both playing professionally in Japan, and the McQueen brothers who have enrolled in a pilot training programme in Australia.

“Kane’s a strong, running forward and quick as well. He’s taking to the demands of sevens well. Hugo and Jack are both attack-minded. Their mind set is to have a go all of the time and I think they’ll cause problems. We’re looking forward to seeing those two play,” said John.

“Seb’s been in the system for awhile. He played for the U20s and was excellent in Germany. He’s a strong ball carrier and strong over the ball as well. He had a good camp and deserves this shot.”

John has also given a debut to U20s sevens standout Fong Kit-fung: “He’s a success story, coming through our local programmes. It’s really pleasing to have a local guy fight his way into the squad. He’s taken his chance really well and put both hands up really,” said John.

Ben Rimene has been named captain for the opening tournament.

“There are a lot of leaders in the squad, which is fantastic. Players like Jamie Hood and Mark Wright have both captained previously. Ben has a different style. He’s a bit more relaxed and maybe a bit more conservative than Jamie, but I will likely use both of them as captain at some point. Both have been excellent in the pre-season, so it’s just us looking for something new at the moment.”

It will also be John’s debut on the Asian series and the former Wales Sevens coach is excited.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s new for me but already I can see that the danger is in underestimating sides. This series is so important. We can’t underestimate anyone. We’ve got to go as well as we possibly can as the series will determine whether we qualify for the World Cup Sevens and the qualifier tournament at the Hong Kong Sevens.

“China, Korea and Sri Lanka will be strong, while Japan will be near full strength after finishing sixth last year and have trained with Australia in the pre-season. They obviously want to get back on the World Series and qualify for the World Cup.

“We cannot let our guard down and that was the clear lesson for the boys. The sides are getting stronger so we must be at the top of our game, every game. We’ve done everything possible to get them physically ready. It’s just a matter of how they cope with competition now, and how they can muster up, mentally, to playing three games each day for two days.

“If the lads repeat what they showed in Germany, we will be in a good place,” John concluded.

Hong Kong Squad:

Forwards: Toby FENN, Mark WRIGHT, Kane BOUCAUT*, Sebastian BRIEN*, Michael COVERDALE. Backs: Ben RIMENE (Captain), Jamie HOOD, Salom YIU Kam-shing, Jason JEYAM, Hugo STILES*, FONG Kit-fung*, Jack NEVILLE*.

* Asia Rugby Sevens Series debut

Hong Kong Match Schedule Day I

Kings Park Friday, 1 September: 13.30 – 20.00

Kings Park, Saturday 2 September: 12.00 – 19.00

v Malaysia (14.14); v Philippines (16.44) v. China (19.14)