Hong Kong domestic rugby scene at its best after international player haul – ‘it’s a bit of a spectacle now’

Men’s league welcomes serious talent from both hemispheres despite Covid-19 disrupted preseason

‘The league is starting to be known around the world and it’s going to get better’, says Kowloon coach Sneddon

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Hong Kong Men’s Premiership players Josh Henderson and Euan McLaren, both from Scotland, in Happy Valley during preseason. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 5:00pm, 17 Nov 2020Updated: 5:13pm, 17 Nov 2020

There was a brief window this year when Hong Kong rugby was one of the world’s only operating rugby leagues. There is plenty of action now what with the makeshift Autumn Nations Cup ongoing and the recently concluded Bledisloe Cup, but question marks remain over the resumption of the major European club leagues.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues its perilous international tour of disruption, some players opted to prioritise game-time above all, with several heading to the Far East. The likes of Japan and Hong Kong are looking to reap the benefits as the level of talent and interest only heightens.

While the city may have missed out on titans such as New Zealand stars Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara – who signed huge-figure “sabbatical” deals with Japan Top League’s Suntory Sungoliath and NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in 2021 – it nonetheless welcomed several high-level prospects across its 12 men’s and women’s top-division teams.

“We’ve had a lot of calls over the last six to eight weeks from players from the UK and everywhere else,” said DAC Kowloon coach Scott Sneddon, who has managed to convince exciting Welshman Harry Johnston and former Scotland youth captain Euan McLaren to join him.

Natixis Hong Kong Football Club's new player Charlie Kingham brings England national sevens team experience. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Meanwhile, former Wales youth player Harrison Dobbs joined Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers alongside former Scotland under-20 international Joshua Henderson, while former England sevens player Charlie Kingham became reigning champions Natixis Hong Kong Football Club’s newest draw, and Societe Generale Valley tied down former Exeter Chiefs player Peter Laverick.