The Hong Kong Rugby Union’s men’s sevens squad have been handed a stiff draw for this weekend’s final outing in Montevideo, Uruguay as top seeds in Pool B.

Hong Kong are currently in second place on the new World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger Series after reaching the final in Chile last weekend.

The top eight teams from this two-leg, 16-team series advancing to the final qualification tournament later this year. After the opener in Chile, the top eight are Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Chile, Tonga, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Papua New Guinea.

Hong Kong are top seeds in Pool B alongside two teams that asked some tough questions of the eventual cup finalists on the last outing in Chile - Uganda and Jamaica.

Uganda held Hong Kong to a 5-0 lead in the opening half, allowing a second to start the final half but came back to score in the tenth minute to bring the totals to 10-7 and set up a tense final moments before Hong Kong scraped home. 

The Ugandans eventually lost to Tonga in the fifth place play-off semi-final to finish seventh overall after the opening leg. Both sides will be better for their week one head to head and the contest in Montevideo promises to be another close one if Hong Kong allows.

Jamaica also held Hong Kong close in a 14-7 loss in the pool rounds again scoring late to come within chance of an equalizer. Brazil, who finished outside of the top eight in Chile, is the bottom side in Pool B.

Germany, who beat Hong Kong 10-0 in the final, top Pool A ahead of Papua New Guinea, who finished eighth overall in Chile, hosts Uruguay and Mexico.

Japan, who were upended in the semi-final in Chile by Germany, top Pool C with Zimbabwe, sixth placed finishers last week, Italy, and Paraguay. Pool D sees fourth-ranked Chile fight it out against fifth seeds Tonga, Portugal and Colombia.

Hong Kong Match Schedule: Challenger Series, Uruguay, Day 1

Saturday 22 Feb. 2020 (All times are HK)

Hong Kong versus Brazil (23.53)

Hong Kong versus Jamaica (03.09, Su Feb 23)

Hong Kong versus Uganda (06.35, Su Feb 23)

Hong Kong Sevens (Touring Squad): World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series:  Max WOODWARD (captain); Ben RIMENE; Raef MORRISON; Michael COVERDALE; Hugo STILES; Cado LEE Ka-to; Jamie HOOD; Jack NEVILLE; Alex McQUEEN; Liam HERBERT; Russell WEBB; Max DENMARK; Sebastian BRIEN; YIU Kam-shing; Kane BOUCAUT; Toby FENN.