Hong Kong China vs USA Nations Cup 2026 Preview

rugbyasia247 Posted On November 6, 2026

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Hong Kong China vs USA Nations Cup 2026 Preview

The World Rugby Nations Cup 2026 is back this weekend, and Hong Kong China, who are fifth in Pool B, take on the USA on Sunday 8 November at Stade Marcel-Verchère, Bourg-en-Bresse, France.

Photo Credit – Belgium Rugby

The last time these two sides met was in November 2022 at the Rugby World Cup Qualifying Repechage Tournament in Dubai, and the USA won that Test 49-7, which was a record-high win for them over Hong Kong China. Historically, they have played 8 times, and they are level 4-4, which may surprise many. Neither side has a good track record with matches played in Europe.

Hong Kong China Men’s XV Head Coach Andrew Douglas said after the disappointing loss to Belgium last week, “We weren’t accurate enough; we made too many errors; and when we were under pressure, our decision-making probably went out the window a bit, but it’s our first game in a long time and it showed.

We need more of these games, and we’re searching for them. It was a tough day for us, but I think we’ll be better next week.”

He had previously lived and coached in the USA’s MLR with Old Glory DC and said of the prospect this weekend, “The USA game I’d love to win. They’re 15th in the world, and they’re on a bit of a run in the Nations Cup.”

Hong Kong China are currently ranked 24th and have very few scalps from teams that sit above them on the World Rugby rankings. Scoring tries might be one of the challenges as the USA Eagles have one of the Nations Cup’s strongest defensive records, conceding just nine tries so far, but that was before the recent losses.

Discipline is another area that needs to be sorted out, as they have conceded 35 penalties in the three Nations Cup matches and average 2 cards a match.

Hong Kong China have not scored a try in the opening quarter of the Nations Cup, and are the only team with a sub-80% tackle success rate (79.8%), while they have the fewest breakdown steals. Lots of stats they would like to correct.

Douglas has selected a strong front row with Sunia Fameitau, Faizal Solomona Penesa, and Alex Post. There is real height in the second row, but Max Murphy (4 caps) and former MLR player James Rivers (3 caps), who started together last weekend, have limited international experience. The pack is rounded out by Jack Bartlett and captain Josh Hrsrich, who started last weekend, and 7s star Callum McCullough.

The backline sees a surprise omission of Paul Altier, with Dylan McCann starting at fullback. Jack Combes and Nate de Thierry continue in the 9-10 pivot, while Isaac Campbell-Wu remains at inside centre, with Marcus Ramage outside of him. The wings see experienced 7s players Harry Sayers and Seb Brien start.

Five of the starting XV have less than 5 caps as Douglas continues to build depth before RWC 2027.

Photo Credit: USA Rugby – USA Men vs Australia A 2026

The USA topped their pool in the Nations Cup matches earlier this year, with 14 points and were one of only two unbeaten teams. They scored an average of 30 points per game in the three wins.

But since then, they defeated an Argentina XV side but lost all of their Pacific Nations Cup Tests to finish last, while the USA Men had two heavy defeats against the Australia A team in the USA: 12-61 & 0-52.

USA Head Coach Scott Lawrence said the extensive “defensive workload from the match “would serve as ideal preparation for Hong Kong China, an opponent known for its high rate of phases and pass-heavy style of play.”

The team is without as many as 21 players in this window, including the likes of AJ MacGinty, David Ainu’u, Luke Carty and Ruben de Haas, who have been some of their standouts.

You can see more about the Nations Cup fixtures and results here.

Hong Kong China vs USA Nations Cup 2026

Match Permutations

USA can not improve on 15th even if they win.
Hong Kong China will fall a place to 25th if they lose and Zimbabwe beat Samoa.
If the Asian side wins by more than 15 points, they will equal their all-time high of 21st & if Canada lose to Georgia and Romania are beaten by Tonga.
Hong Kong China can still climb two places if they win, even if Romania are victorious.