Aberdeen to start season in Beijing
Aberdeen will take part in the inaugural Beijing 10s tournament on September 14.
The club will kick off their 1996-97 campaign overseas by participating in the 10-team tournament which is being sponsored by Carlsberg.
According to club captain Phil Morris, Aberdeen are committed to the development of the game within the local Chinese community and in China and this visit will continue to foster such interests.
'The visit emphasises the commitment of Aberdeen to the widening interest in the game of rugby within China,' said Morris.
This will be the third visit by Aberdeen to mainland China.
Last season they travelled to Guangzhou to take on the PLA and also entered a side in the Guangzhou 10s.
Aberdeen's Hong Kong internationals - Duane Davis and Warren Warner - will not be part of the team due to work or holiday commitments. But club spokesman Steve Turner said this would provide an excellent opportunity for the coaching triumvirate of Kim Mcleod, Steve Quirke and Mark Collins to gauge new recruits before the start of the domestic season which kicks off in October.
League champions Valley are also taking part in the Beijing 10s which will include two teams from Japan, as well as sides from Shanghai, the Beijing Agricultural University and the PLA.
Hong Kong internationals Vaughan Going and Isi Tu'ivai are doubtful starters for the territory's first overseas assignment in the new season - the Cobra International 10s in Kuala Lumpur on August 31 and September 1.
