As excitement builds in the global rugby community ahead of the start of the Rugby World Cup 2015 on 18th September in the UK, the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) has announced a trio of special events to help Hong Kongers share in the celebration of World Rugby's quadrennial showcase men's 15s tournament.

As the birthplace of rugby and a long history of sporting achievement, the UK has developed a reputation for organising world-class events. The Rugby World Cup continues to build on the sport legacy kick-started by London 2012. More than 70 major international sporting events have been held in the UK since 2012. Invented in the UK and played throughout the world, rugby is one of our most successful sports exports.
The tournament lasts for 6 weeks from 18 September until 31 October. There are 48 matches being played in England and Wales and over 400,000 visitors expected. The UK has a long history of providing sports fans with an experience to remember.

On Thursday 10th September there will be a "Giants of Rugby Dinner" held at the Grand Hyatt Ballroom. This memorable evening will feature some of the biggest men in world rugby, among them three World Cup winners and two national captains.
Leading the line-up, or should that be line-out of international visitors is Ali Williams, an impressive 6ft 7 1/2, holder of 77 All Blacks caps, veteran of the 2003, 2007, 2011 RWCs, and the holder of winners' medals for Super Rugby, French Top 14, European Championship and World Cup.

Next up, Simon Shaw, 6ft 8, 71 England caps, 2 for the Lions, veteran of 2003, 2007, 2011 RWCs, has winners medals for English Premiership, European Championship and World Cup. Making it a trio of Rugby World Cup winners is David Giffin, 6ft 6, 50 Wallabies caps and winner of the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

This towering trio will be joined by RWC 2011 national team captains Deacon Manu of Fiji and Tim Usasz of USA, and the line-up is completed by the MC, former Scottish international Andy Hall.

The audience will be entertained with tales from previous World Cups as well as thoughts and predictions for the upcoming tournament, and all proceeds from the evening will go the HKRU's Community Foundation which runs programmes in partnership with local NGOs using sport as a medium to help tackle social issues such as inclusion, youth crime, and social deprivation.

Two days later on the afternoon of Saturday 12th September the Mini Rugby Union will join with the HKRU to host an Under 12s tournament at Hong Kong Football Club. Boys and girls from Hong Kong's 21 mini clubs will play in the colours of the 20 teams competing in the World Cup in an event generously supported by Land Rover, another of the official World Cup partners.

The following morning on Sunday 13th September the HKRU's Community Foundation will organise a "Get Into Rugby" fun day at KGV school pitch, supported by DHL, Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015. Youngsters from the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Hong Kong Society for Protection of Children, Po Leung Kuk, Operation Breakthrough and SKH St Christopher's Home who have all been learning rugby over the summer will get a chance to show off their new found skills.

"World Cups are always special occasions, and we wanted to help our community experience a bit of the global buzz," explains HKRU Head of Community Brandon Huang. "We are honoured to have some of the biggest names from World Cup history join our celebrations, and I know all our young boys and girls will have a lot of fun at the two special tournaments. None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our partners DHL, Land Rover, Gilbert, Wm Grant, Virgin Atlantic Airways and the GREAT Britain campaign, and we are very grateful for their contribution to what we hope is going to be a fantastic few days."

If you're not lucky enough to be travelling to the UK to watch the World Cup in person, you can still follow all the action; Fox Sports 2 will be showing all games live on NOW TV, Rugby World magazine have launched a special World Cup App (www.rugbyworld.com), while there will be comprehensive coverage on the SCMP's website free rugby section, sponsored by HKRU (www.scmp.com

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