New blood will boost Hong Kong’s ‘X-factor’ as they face Japan in Asia Rugby Championship, says Leigh Jones
Coach confident five new players will make strong impact in their debuts in Tokyo
Coach Leigh Jones has hailed a large turnover in personnel as a positive as Hong Kong prepares to take on Japan in their opening Asia Rugby Championship match.
Five players are in line to win their first international cap in Tokyo on Saturday in a Hong Kong side that Jones says has more edge to it than the one that lost to Russia in their most recent test in November.
“The turnover of players is quite high and I think that’s a positive thing,” Jones said. “It’s indicative of Hong Kong and the transient nature of the place.
“I’m hoping we will have a little more X-factor available to us than we did back in November.”
Hooker Dylan Rogers and flanker Phil Whitfield are in the starting 15 and assured of their caps, while forwards Angus Dixon and Kyle Sullivan and fly half Robbie Keith are also in line to debut.
