Hong Kong China Men’s XVs Representative Team Set For Debut at Kai Tak Stadium Against Japan XV in October 2025

HKCR has confirmed that the Hong Kong China Men’s XVs representative team will make its debut at Kai Tak Stadium versus Japan XV on Friday, 24 October 2025, which will also mark the kick-off for the 50th Anniversary Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Campaign, with the Long Lunch taking place.

Photo Credit – HKCR – Hong Kong China Men’s 7s run out at Kai Tak Stadium during the Melrose Claymores competition at the 2025 Hong Kong Sevens.

Updated October 2025

HKCR said via a press release that the match is the “start of an intensive preparation phase for Hong Kong China Rugby, which will include more international matches and full and partial contracting of players ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.”

The Men’s team claimed another Asia Rugby Men’s Championship title and, in beating Korea in Incheon, claimed their first qualification to a Men’s Rugby World Cup. Since then, there has been an expansion of their full-time contracted XVs players and additions to the coaching staff as they ramp up for the tournament in two years’ time.

The fixture against the Japan XV is part of the collaboration between the HKCR and the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), who agreed to an MoU at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in March 2025.

Photo Credit – HKCR Men XV vs Japan XV in preparation for Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025

HKCR CEO James Farndon said, “Kai Tak Stadium has already proved itself to be a world-class sports facility for fans, not only at the Sevens but also at their recent sellout concerts and football matches.

The fixture against the Japan XV will be a very special moment for all of our players and coaching staff, as well as serving as a great opportunity for our fans to celebrate the recent World Cup qualification in style,” added HKCR CEO.

HKCR Men’s XV vs Japan XV

The friendly match against the Japan XV side (which is Japan’s national A team) will be the first ever fifteen-a-side rugby match to be held in the new 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium.

The fixture will follow the HKCR’s traditional Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch, which will also be held inside Kai Tak Stadium earlier on the same day.

The two sides faced each other earlier in Japan, and Japan XV were victorious 64-12. The Japan XV will be facing the Australia A side on October 18 in Osaka at YODOKO Sakura Stadium before they travel to Hong Kong.

The home side defeated Brazil 38-17 in November 2024 at the opening event of the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, and this year beat Sri Lanka 78-7 in the Asia Rugby Championship in June at the same venue.

HKCR Head of Technical Rugby, Andrew Douglas, said, “After qualifying for the Rugby World Cup, the players were given five weeks off, which was obviously a much-needed recovery after what was a long, intense and successful campaign.

We’ll head for a camp in Okinawa and a couple of games in Japan during October to bring technical work in and begin preparations for Japan XV and our international calendar. We’ve just got to raise that level of intensity, and this will help the players understand the levels they need to reach.”

Hong Kong China will play the Skyactivs Hiroshima and LeRIRO Fukuoka in those October matches – both Japanese sides compete in the Japan Rugby League One Division 3.

Hong Kong China Men’s XVs Captain, Joshua Hrstich, said of the upcoming fixtures, “We have had a nice break. Getting away with families and friends has been unreal for a lot of us, but in the last few weeks, it’s been awesome to come back and reconnect with the boys, who have all come back fresh and ready to begin the hard work for the World Cup in 2027.

To have a chance to kick-start our campaign at home and play the first ever 15s match at Kai Tak Stadium is a huge honour and boost for the whole squad,” said the Men’s HKCR XV captain.

HKCR Dragons Showcase

In the lead-up to the main match, which kicks off at 7PM (local time), there will be a Dragons showcase from the men’s and women’s teams.

Farndon explained, “We are delighted to also be hosting pre-match rugby showcases from our men’s and women’s development pathways. The programmes featured form a key part of the legacy that we are striving to create from our World Cup qualification, in increasing participation and improving performance.”

Photo Credit – HKCR – The Hong Kong China Dragons coaches and playing squad at the programme’s relaunch at HKSI on 26 May 2025

HKCR Men’s Dragons Programme Lead, Salom Yiu Kam Shing, who is the most-capped HKCR 7s player with 75 tournament appearances as well as having 49 XVs caps, said, “Our recently relaunched programme is made up of 18-28-year-old Hong Kong passport holders. This ensures we have a strong focus on local talent and Hong Kong-qualified players. We toured Singapore in June, and the group cannot wait to get out and play a showcase in front of a home Kai Tak crowd.”

In the match against the Singapore Development team, Singapore emerged victorious.

HKCR Women’s Rugby Programme Lead, Royce Chan, who herself played at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland for HKCR, added, “We have seen an increase in interest from players, schools and sports associations in recent months for both our men’s and women’s pathway programmes. We are delighted to give some of the girls currently involved the chance to take to the field and be part of a fantastic day at Kai Tak.”

Photo Credit – HKCR -HKCR Women’s Rugby Programme Lead, Royce Chan

Schedule Friday 24th October 2025

• 1:00-1:45 PM: Drinks Reception
• 1:45-4:30 PM: Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch 2025
• 4.30-6PM: Dragons Showcase
• 7PM: Hong Kong China Men vs Japan XV

Tickets for Hong Kong China Men’s XVs vs Japan XV will be on sale from Tuesday, 9 September at 9AM HKT.

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch 2025

Photo Credit – HKCR -Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch

HKCR confirmed that the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch will take place in the Kai Tak Stadium’s South Terrace before the matches take place. Dress code is business formal.

The long-standing Sevens tradition marks the official countdown to the 2026 event as we all eagerly await the dates and venue details from World Rugby, which are set to confirm details for the SVNS Series in September 2025.

The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Long Lunch will feature international rugby legends and comedians and raise funds for the Laureus Sport For Good, the Official Charity of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Confirmed guests include (alongside other special guests of the men’s and women’s game):

• Bryan Habana – Springbok rugby star and Hall of Famer
• Florence Symonds – The Olympic 7s and RWC 2025 silver medalist for Canada grew up in Hong Kong, playing rugby at Discovery Bay Pirates and Kowloon Rugby Club before moving to Canada.
• Dan Nicholl –  host on Supersport South Africa, who will once again MC the event
• Simon Evans – Stand-up British comedian

You can see more ticketing details online, and entry to the matches is included in the price.

• 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM: Drinks Reception
• 1:45 PM – 4:30 PM: Long Lunch
• 4.45 PM – 6 PM: Dragons Showcase
• 7 PM: Hong Kong China Men vs Japan XV

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