HONG KONG CHINA WOMEN’S XVs EMBARK ON NOVEMBER EUROPEAN TOUR

A Hong Kong China Women's Select 15s squad will head to Germany later this month to play uncapped friendly matches against Germany and Belgium, with both games taking place at the Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark in Heidelberg.

Hong Kong China are the highest-ranked side according to World Rugby’s rankings, in 16th place, with the hosts Germany in 22nd and Belgium in 24th.

The last time the women’s senior 15s team was in Europe was in 2023, when they played two international test matches against Sweden and the Netherlands.

A number of players were unavailable for selection as they will be with the Hong Kong China 7s team, which will compete at the 15th National Games. The event’s Rugby Sevens competition will be at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong from 12-14 November, where both men’s and women’s 7s stars will take on China’s biggest and best provincial teams (click here for National Games event and ticket information).

Hong Kong China Rugby is still in the process of appointing a new full-time Women's 15s Head of Technical Rugby and Head Coach. In the meantime, a number of the Women’s Club Coaching Officers (WCCOs) – who coach clubs in the Hong Kong Women’s Premiership – will be the coaching group leading the representative team on tour. Tumua Ioane will be the group’s Lead Senior Coach, assisted by Conor Joyce, Kevin Moggridge and Terry Sibanda, most of whom were also involved in the Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship in Japan this summer.

Tumua Ioane said, “I'm honoured to lead this talented group of players and work alongside a dedicated management team who share a passion for women's rugby in Hong Kong. Germany will be the program’s first step, as we embark on this journey to qualify for the 2029 Rugby World Cup, so this tour marks a significant milestone. 

We’re excited to have assembled a well-rounded squad,  blending experienced players like Roshini Turner, Hoi Ching Fung, and Kea Herewini, who all showcased their skills in top-level competitions like the PWR and WXV, with fresh talent, as a third of the squad is under the age of 23. 

Our goal is not only to represent Hong Kong with pride but also to foster continuous growth and development in our players. We want to create an environment where they can push their limits, learn from their experiences, and return home as better rugby players and individuals.”

The squad of 29 selected represents a great mix of locally based players from all of six Women’s Premiership clubs; Causeway Sandy Bay (2), Gai Wu (6), HKFC (9), Kowloon (2), USRC Tigers (3), Valley (7), with HKFC’s Roshini Turner currently playing with the Saracens in the UK. 

Several players in the touring squad were involved in the runners-up finish in the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Championship, after losing to Japan but beating Kazakhstan. 

Jasmine Fung is one of the players back in the mix on this tour, having recovered from an injury she picked up in the WXV3 tournament in 2024. She said, “We have a relatively young group of players. I don't think results are our big aim this tour. I think it's building them and exposing them to play against an international team and opponents that we don't often get to play against.

“I think getting out there playing against them will help boost the players' confidence. We know we can do it. We know everything we need to do. It's just about being in that moment and executing what we want.”

With the rare chance to play non-Asian opposition, Ioane added, “This tour presents a unique opportunity for our players to test themselves against top-tier opponents from different parts of the world.

Playing against Germany and Belgium will expose them to diverse styles of play, challenging them to adapt and improve. Beyond the rugby field, they'll experience new cultures, cuisines, and conditions, broadening their horizons and fostering personal growth. Tours are supposed to be fun and something you remember for the rest of your life. We hope our players have that exact experience. 

Rugby has the power to transform lives, and we hope that the coverage of this tour will inspire young girls and women in Hong Kong to take up the sport, by showcasing the opportunities that rugby provides.”

Hong Kong China Women will be involved in the new WXV Global Series format, which will run from 2026-28. The inclusion guarantees international rugby outside of the annual Asian competition for three years leading up to the next Women’s Rugby World Cup in Australia (click here for more information on the WXV Global Series).

Fixtures

Germany vs Hong Kong China Select – Saturday 15 November (18:00 local / 01:00 Sunday 16 November HK) – Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark, Heidelberg 

Germany vs Belgium – Thursday 20 November Germany vs Belgium, Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark, Heidelberg 

Hong Kong China Select vs Belgium – Saturday 22 November (15:00 local / 23:00 HK) – Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark, Heidelberg 

Tour Management

Tumua Ioane (Lead Senior Coach)

Conor Joyce (Coach)

Kevin Moggridge (Coach)

Terry Sibanda (Coach)

Ian Bonnet (S&C Coach)

Jake Martin (Analyst)

Sophie Raine (Physiotherapist)

Christopher Chak Lam Tong (Physiotherapist)

Royce Chan (Programme Lead)

Selene Cooper (Team Manager)

Players (Club)

Forwards

1 CHAN Ching Man (Causeway Sandy Bay)

2 Sabrina CHUNG (Valley)

3 Jasmine FITZHENRY (HKFC) 

4 FU Tiffany Hiu San (Valley) 

5 Fion GOT (HKFC) 

6 Kea HEREWINI (Valley) 

7 HO Hau Yan (Causeway Sandy Bay)

8 Elsie HULME (HKFC) 

9 LEUNG Choi See (Kowloon)

10 Isobel LITTLEHAILES (HKFC)

11 NG Ki Sum (USRC Tigers)

12 Naomi PEETERS (Valley)

13 Jenna POTGIETER (Kowloon)

14 Zoe TEECE (HKFC)

15 TSANG Hoi Laam (Gai Wu)

16 Roshini TURNER (HKFC/Saracens)

17 ZA Xiao Hui (USRC Tigers)

Backs 

18 Abigail CHAN (Valley)

19 CHEUNG Hoi Ying (USRC Tigers)

20 Georgia CUTT (HKFC)

21 Rosanna DOWN (HKFC) 

22 FUNG Hoi Ching (Gai Wu) 

23 Montana HESLOP (Gai Wu) 

24 HO Tsz Wun (Gai Wu) 

25 Grace HOOD (HKFC) 

26 LI Sze Ting (Valley)

27 Ella LYNAM (Valley)

28 SHEK Ching Yi (Gai Wu) 

29 WAN Tsz Yau (Gai Wu) 

30 Haruka UEMATSU (Valley)

This article was posted in collaboration with our good friends at RugbyAsia247 – check them out for all the latest Asia Rugby news!