Debutant Hugo Stiles set for speedy ascent into full sevens squad
Hong Kong juniors standout thrilled by seniors sevens call-up despite being in the middle of preparations for international 15s duty
It will be all fast and furious for Hugo Stiles this weekend in Tokyo, but the youngster is happy to switch between sevens and 15s as he makes his debut with the senior team at the Japan Sevens.
“I have been training with the Hong Kong [under-20s] squad for the Junior World Rugby Trophy in Portugal [next month] and there is another training camp when I return from Tokyo. But right now all my focus is on sevens and I’m really excited at this opportunity,” said Stiles who is with the Hong Kong sevens squad in the Japanese capital for the seventh leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
This is my first senior tour and I’m looking forward to receiving my first cap
Stiles was a surprise inclusion in the 12-man squad which has seen three changes to the side which featured last weekend at the Hong Kong Sevens – Stiles, Ben Rimene and Jack Capon coming in for Rowan Varty, Mark Wright and Cado Lee Ka-to. Hong Kong has been drawn with Fiji, England and Wales.
“This is my first senior tour and I’m looking forward to receiving my first cap this weekend," Stiles said. “I was over the moon when I heard I had been picked for the Japan Sevens.
“The chance to play two teams [Fiji and England] who are in the top five of the World Series standings is not only a special experience for me, but a challenge the team are eager to tackle,” he said.
The Hong Kong under-20 captain is a scrum-half in 15s rugby and is expected to take Lee's place in Tokyo.
