Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Sevens 2026 – Tournament Preview

rugbyasia247 Posted On September 2, 2026

56 Views

The Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Sevens 2026 takes place in Qingdao, China, from 5-6 September, and the Chinese Girls are defending champions, while current Boys’ holders, Japan, won’t be defending their crown.

Feature Photo Credit – Mr Wu / CTRU (U18 2025 7s) – Updated Pools & Squads

The Japanese Girls, who were runners-up last year, will also not be taking part. There was no reason provided by Asia Rugby. In total, 9 Boys teams (up from 8) and 8 Girls Teams (an increase from 7) are due to be playing.

Although when AR initially made an announcement about the match officials in early August, they included the Thai Boys and Girls, they are not in the final teams announced, so the numbers would have been one more for each category.

Asia Rugby said the tournament “remains a central part of Asia Rugby’s player and match-official development pathway, providing the region’s emerging athletes and officials with valuable international experience.”

The original date for the tournament was also 12-13 September 2026, but it was changed with no reason given publicly.>

Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Sevens 2026

Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Sevens 2026 Pools

The 2025 tournament was also held in China (Hohhot), and the Japanese Boys beat Hong Kong China in the final 42-5, while the Chinese Girls defeated Japan 22-12.

(Pools have been updated)

Girls Teams & Pools

Pool C

China
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
Sri Lanka (Shamly Nawaz is the Head Coach)

Pool D

Hong Kong China
India (Head Coach is South African Kiano Fourie)
Malaysia (Rozliana Mohd Ridwan was appointed Head Coach)
United Arab Emirates

Thailand was initially named but looks to no longer be involved.

We imagine the Girls pools, fixtures and results will be here by the time of the tournament.

Girls Teams - Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Sevens 2026

Boys Teams & Pools

Pool A

Hong Kong China
Malaysia (Mohd Syahir Asraf Rosli was appointed Head Coach)
India (New Zealander, Gray Cornelius was announced as Head Coach – they have had Australian, South African and Fijian {Waisele Serevi} in charge in recent years)
Sri Lanka (Rajeev Perera is the Head Coach)

Pool B

China
Chinese Taipei
Kazakhstan
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan

Thailand was initially named but looks to no longer be involved.

Boys Teams - Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Sevens 2026

We imagine the Boys pools, fixtures and results will be here by the time of the tournament.

The teams that competed in 2025 were:

Match Officials – Asia Rugby Emirates U18 7s 2026

Asia Rugby confirmed that match officials will be representing China, Hong Kong China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates at the U18 tournament.

Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai said, “Asia Rugby is proud to announce the Emirates Match Officials appointed for the Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Sevens in Qingdao.

This competition is an important part of our player and match-official development pathways. It provides young athletes with the opportunity to represent their countries in international competition while enabling our referees to gain valuable experience in a high-performance environment.”

Referees

Qu Shenggang (China)
Zahang Xin (China)
Niu Yuru (China)
Dechdanai ‘Top’ Wangyuen (TRU)
Muhammad Aiman Adeeb Bin Afandy (MRU)
Ivy Kwong (HKCR)
Rikito Nobuhara (JRFU)
Raveen Alexander (SLR)
Jack Taylor (UAERF)
Shane O’Hehir (SRU)

Performance Reviewers

Gabriel Lee (HKCR)
George Danapal (SRU)
Liu Hao (China)

Referee Manager

Dilroy Fernando – Asia Rugby

Asia Rugby Emirates U18 7s 2026 – Confirmed Squads

We will update these if they are announced in a timely manner before the tournament starts.

Sri Lanka U18 Girls

Ayusha Jeewamani, Dinetya Saheli, M. Afra, W. Savisandu, P. Bimansa, G. Hansani, A. Ranuwani, W. Weerapakrama, K. Sathsarani, G. Weerananda, P. Sathsarani, Naduli Luhansa.

Image Credit – SLR

Sri Lanka U18 Boys

Wesley College’s fullback Muhammed Fawaz captains the Sri Lanka Under-18 boys’ sevens side.

Hashara Madugasge (St Peter’s), Praveen Nimsara (Royal), Rehan Attanayake (Ananda), Muhammed Fawaz (Captain, Wesley), Rajit Geon (St Peter’s), Rashwin Sabar (St Peter’s), Yasanda Dinan (D.S. Senanayake), Ammar Mansil (Trinity), Saraph Ilyas (Zahira), Thenula de Costa (Isipathana), Oshada Adikari (Kingswood) and Mayanka Dias (S. Thomas’).

Sri Lanka U18 Boys - Asia Rugby U18s Sevens 2026

India U18 Girls

In local Indian news, some players were highlighted. Namrata Bhudiya is the first player from Gujarat to be selected for the national side.

Image Credit – Rugby India

India U18 Boys

Image Credit – Rugby India

Chinese Taipei U18 Boys

The CTRU announced on their socials that in the week before departing for the tournament, three athletes broke the team discipline rules and went out drinking and were expelled from the squad. Although the Boys were not named, we applaud the union for the transparency on this matter.

Photo Credit – CTRU

UAE U18 Girls

UAE U18 Girls- Asia Rugby U18s Sevens 2026

Photo Credit – UAERF

UAE U18 Boys

UAE U18 Boys- Asia Rugby U18s Sevens 2026

Photo Credit – UAERF

Malaysia U18 Girls

Image Credit – MR

Photo Credit – Ragbi Padu

(Thanks to Ragbi Padu for these)

NUR IRMA DAMIA BINTI MOHAMAD NIZAM – JOHOR
NURUL NATASHA BINTI ABDULLAH – JOHOR
CHLOE EMMAVANORA CHRISTIANUS ADING SABAH
FETRUNILA BINTI JOHN – SABAH
BALQIES SUMAYYAH BINTI ZUMARDI – KEDAH
NUR AUNI NAJWA BINTI AHMAD SUKOR – KEDAH
NUR IRISH QISTINA BINTI AZLI – SELANGOR
SITI NUR AIN LIYANA BINTI MOHAMAD NAZRI – SELANGOR
NUR INSYIRAH BINTI MUKTAR – TERENGGANU
NOR QISTINA BATRISYA BT MAT LUWI – TERENGGANU
NADYNE SYIFA BINTI MOHD IDZHAM – TERENGGANU
DAYANG NURSYAFIZA BINTI AWANG AZAMI – KELANTAN

Malaysia U18 Boys

Image Credit – MR

Photo Credit – Ragbi Padu

(Thanks to Ragbi Padu for these)

AIREL NURAFIFI BIN AZHAR – KEDAH
MUHAMMAD ARIF FIRDAUS BIN MOHD RIZUAN – KEDAH
MUHAMAD HAZIQ BIN SHAMSUL HISHAM – KEDAH
MUHAMMAD HAIKAL BIN ISMAIL – KEDAH
MUHAMMAD AMMAR ZIDAN BIN MOHD ZAID – KEDAH
MUHAMMAD IBRAHIM BIN BAKHTIAR – PERAK
MUHAMMAD AFIQ ZIQRI BIN ABDUL RAHIM – PERAK
MUHAMMAD HILMI FARHAN BIN MOHD SAFARUDDIN – PERAK
MUHAMMAD MUQ’MIN BIN MOHD ZUBIR – PERAK
FARIZ ASYRAF BIN AZIZAN – JOHOR
MOHAMAD RAZALI BIN MOHD RIZAL – KELANTAN
DHIYAULHAQ BIN MOHD ARIFIN – NEGERI SEMBILAN

Hong Kong China Girls U18

Head of the HKSI Junior 7s Academy, Tomos Howells, said via HKCR, “Unfortunately, the girls will be without Saidhb Martin and Lea El Asmar due to long-term injuries. While it’s a blow, it opens the door for young new players to step up and grab valuable exposure, always one of the most exciting parts of pathway competitions.

Players to watch: Lizzie Stanton and Sophie Aranha will no doubt be linking up for some entertaining 7s.”

Aleena AZAROVA; Louise LINDSAY; Katie HULBERT; Trinity NG; Bella QUIGLEY; Sara HARRIES; Emily BREMS; Sophie ARANHA; Chiara BAZZONI; Jennica NARAG; Elizabeth STANTON (C); Holly TERREBROOD

U18 Girls Team Management: Christopher MAIZE (Head Coach); Oliver PYLE (Assistant Coach); Pui Yee WONG (Physiotherapist); Sam BEARD (Team Manager)

Hong Kong China Girls - Asia Rugby U18s Sevens 2026

Photo Credit – HKCR

Hong Kong China Boys U18

Tomos Howells, who is also Boys Head Coach, added, “We’re genuinely excited for the weekend and looking forward to returning to China after a fantastic experience last year.”

Players to watch: “The Hand twins, Tomos and Huw, they’re guaranteed to bring some excitement.”

Sebastian ATKINS; Kota WONG; Louis MCLAUGHLIN; Arthur GRISLAIN; Huw HAND; Tomos HAND; Floris KENNES (C); Logan BELL; Matthew MCQUAE; Oliver PHILLIPS; Ryan SCHROEDER; Harvey WALKER

U18 Boys Team Management: Tomos HOWELLS (Head Coach); Stephen MUTCH (Physiotherapist); Sam BEARD (Team Manager)