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Hong Kong and Russia have urged the International Rugby Board to introduce a World Cup for second-tier countries.
Officials from both sides said on Friday that a second-tier World Cup, played between the traditional quadrennial event, would greatly help lift the standards of teams ranked just outside the top 20, and the hoped the game's world governing body could look at the issue seriously.
"I would like to see the IRB introduce a World Cup for countries like us and Russia two years before the main World Cup," said Dai Rees, the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union's head of performance and technical development.
"A cross-continental competition for say 12 countries would help lift and develop the game in second-tier nations."

	A World Cup for us smaller countries would be massive. If we knew there was one in between the main World Cups, we could plan and prepare

	Dai Rees
Russia coach Raphael Saint-Andre agreed, saying: "It would be good for everyone and help take us to the next level. The IRB needs to help us.
"Right now we play other second-tier European nations like Georgia regularly, but there will be huge benefits in playing teams with different styles like Uruguay, Hong Kong or Zimbabwe."
Russia and Hong Kong were beaten by Uruguay in the World Cup repêchage qualifiers with the South Americans going on to clinch the 20th and final berth at next year's tournament in England.
Rees said countries who were on the fringes of the top 20 teams - such as Hong Kong (23) and Russia (20) - needed more opportunities to play outside their own region, so they could learn and develop quicker. Hong Kong play annually in the Asian Five Nations, but have always lost out to Japan in World Cup qualification.
"A World Cup for us smaller countries would be massive. If we knew there was one in between the main World Cups, we could plan and prepare better. For instance, we didn't know Russia would be coming to Hong Kong until six weeks ago. A better structure is needed than ad hoc arrangements," Rees said.
Russia captain Vasily Artemyev also gave his backing but said the aim for all second-tier nations must ultimately be the main World Cup.
"This must be the main goal for all of us, otherwise, it will be a step down if we were just to be happy with playing in a second-tier World Cup.
"I hope this cross-continental series between Hong Kong and Russia can be the start of something new. Maybe next year Hong Kong can come to Russia in summer [for a reciprocal tour], or even better if we can have a three or four-nation tournament in Hong Kong at the same time next year," Artemyev said.
This inaugural two-test series was arranged by the HKRFU, which has for the past four years looked at giving the national 15s teams autumn tests beginning with visits to Europe four years ago to play Germany and the Netherlands, and then Dubai two years ago for matches against Zimbabwe and Belgium.
While the world governing body has approved and sanctioned the games, they have given little support financially, leaving it up to the countries involved to sort out the logistics.
Meanwhile, he has not tackled a man or kicked a ball in the Hong Kong Premiership, but new kid in town Tyler Spitz will win his debut cap for Hong Kong against Russia in the second and final test for the Ustinov Cup today.
The 24-year-old outside centre was drafted in because first-choice midfielders Lloyd Jones and Jake Phelps were unavailable for the showdown at Hong Kong Football Club as Hong Kong try to avoid another Russian bear hug, having lost the opening test 31-10.
"We have thrown Tyler in at the deep end. He has played first grade rugby in Australia and came recommended to us," said Dai Rees. "He is a new arrival in town and will soon be playing for a Premiership side. I can't say for whom as yet."
Spitz, who was on the fringes of the US Sevens team as his father is American (his mum is a Kiwi), qualifies for Hong Kong as he was born in the city.
A mystery figure - even the prospective Hong Kong Premiership club chairman hasn't yet seen him - Spitz will hope to infuse a bit more steel into the midfield defence who last week leaked three tries.
"By the end of this series we will have capped 10 new players, which is a testament to the development and club structures in Hong Kong," Rees said.
Spitz is one of five changes to the side who started last week. Props Leon Wei Hon-sum and Jack Nielsen will replace John Aikman and Alex Ng Wai-shing - the latter being rested while Aikman will drop down to the bench - Bill Brant will replace injured captain Nick Hewson at blindside flanker.
In the backs, Spitz and fullback Alex McQueen, who comes in for James Richards, are the two new faces.
Russia have made three changes with lock Nikolay Serkov replacing 2.13-metre giant Ilya Osminko, who has been cited.
"We expect Hong Kong to have done their homework and to be better. We will need to up every facet of our game," said Russia captain Vasily Artemyev.


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IRB urged to set up second-tier World Cup

Leon Wei Hon-sum takes the ball into contact against Russia last week. Photos: HKRFU

Russia captain Vasily Artemyev believes a second-tier World Cup will foster development of the sport.   

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Hong Kong and Russia, now playing a two-test series, want governing body to help lift standards of teams ranked outside top 20


Hong Kong and Russia have urged the International Rugby Board to introduce a World Cup for second-tier countries.


Rugby World Cup 2015