THE territory's 'young guns' get their chance tonight at Happy Valley to stake a claim for a place in the senior Hong Kong squad for the forthcoming Pan Pacific Series.
The Hong Kong Developing Players XV meet top Asian side South Korea in the opening game of a brief three-match tour. The other two games are against the Hong Kong national team.
As such, tonight will be the big opportunity for those players knocking on the door to impress national coach George Simpkin, who will be looking to add at least another five or six players into his senior squad.
Coach of the Developing Players XV, Steve Quirke, agrees that tonight's game will serve as an indicator of the depth of Hong Kong rugby.
'The aim of the Developing Players squad has always been to serve as a feeder into the main squad. We hope to bring players through, but at the same time see that they are a viable opposition on the field too,' said Quirke.
Hong Kong will have a squad of 26 players for the eight-nation Pan Pacific Series which starts in May. At the moment, the national squad numbers 22. But if poor form and injuries takes its toll, there is plenty of room for serious candidates - from Quirke's lot.
Developing XV players like Aberdeen number eight Duane Davis and Kowloon centre Moape Ravuvu are regarded as certainties to make it into the main team for the Pan Pac Series. But the progress of players like hooker Brian Gilchrist, prop Joe McLaddery, lock Giles Scott, flanker Sam Kynaston, centre Rob Santos and winger Warren Warner, among others will be watched keenly tonight.
