The Hong Kong Men’s sevens squad will be looking to claim the Asia Rugby Sevens Series title at this weekend’s final tournament in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The women will be intent on continuing their streak of podium matches this season after splitting bronze medals with Kazakhstan across the two earlier tournaments, with China and Japan battling it out for the cups.

Coach Paul John’s men came home with the cup from Huizhou, China, with Japan surprisingly finishing in third overall after losing to the hosts. The results leave Hong Kong atop the Series table heading into the final weekend on 15 points, one ahead of Japan and two ahead of China, with Sri Lanka and South Korea trailing on nine points.

John has been showcasing his depth across the season rotating players in and out of the squad across the first two legs.  That trend continues for the finale with Max Denmark and Liam Herbert, both recent U20s graduates, set to make their first series appearances in Sri Lanka. Another emerging player selected is James Christie who will travel with the squad as the 13th man injury replacement.

Ben Rimene who filled that spot in China, ultimately making it on to the pitch to cover for Hugo Stiles, is included in the 12 for Colombo, alongside captain Max Woodward, Cado Lee and Jamie Hood, who have been picked for all three tournaments this series.

Both Tom and Alex McQueen are also included in the squad, each marking a second individual appearance in this season’s series and their first co-selections for an Asian Sevens Series tournament since 2016.

Hong Kong will be without the services of a few key cogs, with Salom Yiu Kam-shing, Jack Neville and Russell Webb, who has played nearly every minute of the opening two legs, being rested.

Seb Brien and Raef Morrison, additions for the China Sevens a fortnight ago, have also been named in the squad for Colombo, along with fellow forwards Kane Boucaut and Toby Fenn, giving Hong Kong some physicality that will come in handy once again after being drawn with a bruising UAE side in the pool. 

Hosts Sri Lanka are also in Hong Kong’s pool, and will still be stinging from a massive 55-0 loss to Hong Kong in the cup semi final on their last outing, while the Philippines round out the group. 

Coach Iain Monaghan has also added a few new faces into his emerging women’s group with Sarah Lucas marking her first appearance this season in Sri Lanka. 

Monaghan has also given a selection to a third debutant this series in Chloe Chan from Northumbria University.  She follows in the footsteps of Florence Symonds and Chloe Baltazar who both made debut senior sevens appearances this season.

Outside of these strategic additions, Monaghan is rolling with a veteran group led again by the hard-grafting Melody Li Nim-yan, livewire pivot Poon Hoi-yan and some core veterans in Sham Wai-sum, Nam Ka-man, Stephanie Chan, Chong Ka-yan and Jessica Ho Wai-on. Ivy Kwong Sau-yan also gets her first start of the series this weekend.

Natasha Olson-Thorne is being rested this weekend leaving other veterans an opportunity and a need to stand up.  Jessica Eden is one of three players tipped for all tournaments this series alongside Nam and finisher Chong.  Lee Tsz-ting is travelling as the 13^th squad member in case of injury.

 Hong Kong are pooled in the group of death with Japan, who have swept the cups so far this year, an always tough Thailand seven and Sri Lanka, while China top the other pool with Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Singapore.  

Hong Kong Women’s Sevens Squad (Colombo, Sri Lanka 28-29 Sept): Melody Li Nim-yan (Captain), Sham Wai-sum, Chloe Chan^, Jessica Ho Wai-on, Au Yeung, Sin-yi; Poon Hoi-yan; Nam Ka-man, Chong Ka-yan, Stephanie Chan Chor-ki, Jessica Eden, Sarah Lucas*, Ivy Kwong Sau-yan*, Lee Tsz-ting  ^ First senior sevens cap; *Season debut

Hong Kong Men’s Sevens Squad (Colombo, Sri Lanka, 28-29 Sept 2019): Max Woodward (Captain); Seb Brien, Michael Coverdale, Max Denmark*, Liam Herbert*, Jamie Hood, Toby Fenn, Cado Lee Ka-to, Alex McQueen, Tom McQueen, Raef Morrison, Ben Rimene*, James Christie   *Season debut