The game is sure to be a full blooded affair as Hong Kong, ranked 21stin the world, are on the verge of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup in Japan 2019. Hong Kong are using the Crawshay’s fixture as a final warm up game before they head to Marseille for their World Cup qualifying repechage with Canada, Germany and Kenya.
The Crawshay’s squad, as always, will predominantly be chosen from the talent within the club game in Wales and with the clubs having no fixtures on the weekend of the 2nd November it is hopeful they can put out a squad to rival an international team likely heading to the World Cup, as they are world ranked above all of their repechage rivals.
The Crawshay’s toured the Netherlands in the summer beating the national team comfortably who are ranked 27th in the world, just in front of Germany and Kenya.
There will be no shortage of Welsh and more specifically Gwent representation in the Hong Kong ranks as Crawshay’s Vice President and esteemed former player Dai Rees is their Head of Rugby. Alongside him is former Newport and Dragon’s forwards coach, Leigh Jones who is now Hong Kong head coach and forwards coach Andrew Hall who played in the second row for the Dragons under the tutelage of both Dai and Leigh.
In the playing ranks Hong Kong have more Gwenties, who have qualified through residency, in the shape of hooker Ben Roberts and second row Craig Lodge who played predominantly for Bedwas and Cardiff respectively.
