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World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023: Hong Kong must be bold and brave, coach Logan Asplin says

  • City side take on Spain in their opening game of the tournament in Kenya, before facing Samoa and the hosts in Pool B
  • Hong Kong’s best finish at the event was the sixth place they managed in 2018

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The World Rugby U20 Trophy gets under way in Kenya this weekend. Photo: World Rugby

Hong Kong coach Logan Asplin has called on his side to be “bold and brave” ahead of their opening game against Spain in the World Rugby U20 Trophy on Saturday.

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The city’s side face a tough task in Pool B, where they will also take on Samoa and hosts Kenya over the next 10 days. Scotland, Uruguay, the USA and Zimbabwe make up Pool A.

Asplin has named forward Tyler McNutt as captain of a team full of attacking intent, with under-19 captain Max Threlkeld at outside centre and fly-half Julien Bourron expected to inspire.

Making an appearance at the trophy for a sixth consecutive time, Hong Kong’s best finish was sixth in 2018, and of the 24 matches the side has played since hosting the tournament in 2014 they have lost 22.

With seven of the side that won the Asia Rugby U19 Championship included, Asplin knows Saturday’s game against Spain at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi will be a step up.

The Pool B captains (from left to right) Mike Wamalwa (Kenya), John Samuelu (Samoa), Tyler McNutt (Hong Kong) and Álvaro García (Spain) ahead of the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Nairobi. Photo: World Rugby
The Pool B captains (from left to right) Mike Wamalwa (Kenya), John Samuelu (Samoa), Tyler McNutt (Hong Kong) and Álvaro García (Spain) ahead of the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Nairobi. Photo: World Rugby

“In the big moments, it is time for our team to step up, and we know they are capable of achieving big things,” he said.

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