https://www.scmp.com/rss/311049/feed Having arrived in Hong Kong from Wales in 2010, Leigh is currently the HKRFU's national coach development manager and head coach of the Hong Kong Men’s XV. His breadth of experience gained from a lifetime of elite rugby coaching – including stints with Ebbw Vale, Newport, Dragons, Wales ‘A’ and Wales – enables Leigh to offer insight into the latest developments in coaching at the international level and discuss Hong Kong’s national team with authority. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com It’s always good, after the dust has settled, to reflect on events past. With the recent Asia Rugby Championship in mind, my reflections take me back to well before the beginning of the competition to the visit of the Chiefs. Our visiting allies have proved an invaluable resource over the past three seasons in allowing us to test our mettle against a young, physical and skillful group. This season was no exception with their squad brimming with youthful talent, all of whom were keen to stake... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2099104/hong-kong-impress-asian-championship-are-hard-work-and-planning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2099104/hong-kong-impress-asian-championship-are-hard-work-and-planning?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jun 2017 03:43:06 +0000 Sometimes as a coach, you know even before taking the field that you have a special group. It’s not something that is easy to measure or articulate – you just know. It probably has more to do with chemistry than ability. There are players on every team who can make things happen, but I think with a special group it is more about how much they are prepared to give in order to make it happen. And from the start of last Saturday, I had a good feeling about what was going to unfold. It began with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1512833/hong-kong-passed-chemistry-test-flying-colours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1512833/hong-kong-passed-chemistry-test-flying-colours?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 May 2014 13:15:15 +0000 As the regular Paul Y Premiership season draws to a close, it seems all the sides in with a shout of reaching the Grand Championship have fit and full squads – ensuring that selection for the play-off games will be a headache for their coaches. The clubs outside contention are limping along with one eye on Saturday’s final round of matches, after which they can shut up shop, reflect on what might have been and re-group. It has been a tough season, but I want it to go on record that your... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1429798/and-so-we-arrive-business-end-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1429798/and-so-we-arrive-business-end-season?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Feb 2014 13:15:15 +0000 After letting the dust settle following the two victories against Belgium, it’s time to take stock, reflect objectively on the performance levels and where it leaves us for the 2014 Asian Five Nations series. Belgium were everything we expected – strong in the forwards and a very talented backline, that (perhaps) could have been used to better effect. That said, it was always going to be about how well we could contain their forwards and how much ball we could provide for our exciting... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1393145/its-big-picture-were-trying-paint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1393145/its-big-picture-were-trying-paint?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Dec 2013 07:45:45 +0000 As we approach the midway point of the domestic season I can only be impressed by the year-on-year development of club rugby in Hong Kong and by the level of competition in both the men’s and women’s game. Of course, my capacity as coach for the Hong Kong men’s 15 focuses my attention towards the performance end of the competition and during this, my fourth season in town, I continue to witness a positive and somewhat remarkable transition in the approach and attitude of players, administrators... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1367834/shortened-build-belgium-tests-will-have-players-fizzing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1367834/shortened-build-belgium-tests-will-have-players-fizzing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Nov 2013 07:45:15 +0000