Coaching Team Bolstered Ahead of 1-year countdown to Rugby World Cup

On the back of one of Hong Kong Rugby’s most memorable wins ever in beating top 15 team Uruguay at the Nations Cup in South America in July, Hong Kong China Rugby has announced a boost to its Men’s XVs coaching & performance staff support ahead of Hong Kong China’s debut at the Rugby World Cup in 2027. 

As part of the enhanced coaching support being afforded to the team ahead of the one-year countdown to Rugby World Cup 2027 on 1 October 2026, Toby Booth, former Head Coach of the Ospreys in Wales will return to the Hong Kong China set-up. 

Internationally renowned Strength & Conditioning Coach Allan Ryan will also join the management team from Toulouse in France on a consultancy basis.

Booth has prior experience with the squad having served as a High-Performance Strategic and Technical Consultant for the Men’s XVs in 2025. He will continue to bring strategic expertise to the programme, support the elevation of our coaching team while also taking ownership of defence and lineouts. Logan Asplin shifts to Attack Coach and HKCR Head of Technical Rugby Andrew Douglas returns to the Head Coach position. 

“We welcome the return of Toby to the set-up and as we prepare for our one-year push to one of the biggest moments in the history of rugby in Asia. His previous time with the squad has continued to resonate with the playing and coaching staff, and we are delighted to have him back” said Simon Amor, Executive Director, Performance Rugby.

“We are also delighted to welcome one of the premier Strength & Conditioning coaches in World Rugby to the programme in Allan Ryan. Allan’s experience working with the very best players in the world will be invaluable as we look to continue to make the critical gains in our players athletic development.”