HKCR SQUAD TO TAKE ON USA IN NATIONS CUP ROUND IV NAMED
PUBLISHED ON 07 NOV 2026
[Hong Kong, China, 7 November 2026]: Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) men’s XV will resume their World Rugby Nations Cup 2026 build-up campaign when they take on the undefeated USA Eagles on Sunday in Round 3 at the Stade Marcel-Verchère, Bourg-en-Bresse, France (kick-off time is 22.45 HKT).
Hong Kong claimed their first ever Nations Cup win over Uruguay in July and now enter the second stage of matches with USA and Canada upcoming on 8 ad 15 November respectively before a return to Hong Kong for the finale versus Tonga in Hong Kong on 21 November.
USA are undefeated so far in the Nations Cup 2026 and are the highest ranked team in the competition at 15th at the moment. They top Pool 1 with 14 points after wins over Portugal, Zimbabwe and Spain in the opening rounds. Hong Kong China are presently fifth in Pool 2. The Eagles claws will be out after losses in late September at the Pacific Nations Cup to both Japan and Canada, before heavy defeats to Australia A over two matches earlier this month.
Hong Kong’s first game since July was last weekend, a warm-up versus Belgium in Brussels, a 27-17 loss. Head Coach Andrew Douglas has made seven changes to that squad, mostly in the backs as he rotates his group with two more Nations Cup rounds to come.
Veteran hooker Alex Post will start against the Eagles with Harry Baron moving to the reserves after starting in Belgium. The rest of the tight five remains the same with props Sunia Fumeitau and Faizal Solomona-Penesa and James Rivers and Max Murphy at lock. Captain Josh Hrstich starts again at No.8, with Jack Bartlett retaining the 6 jersey for a second match. Callum McCullough starts at seven in the other change in the forwards.
The halfback pairing of Jack Combes and flyhalf Nathan De Thierry has been retained, with De Thierry one of five players in the squad to have faced USA previously. Utility back Marcus Ramage starts at outside centre, pairing Isaac Campbell-Wu who also started at 12 against Belgium.
Sevens threats are out wide on both sides of the pitch after Harry Sayers was named to join Seb Brien on the wings. Dylan McCann gets the start at fullback after coming off the bench against Belgium.
A five-three forwards-to-backs split in the reserves sees Baron, Thomas Concu and Keelan Chapman as the front row back-ups with Lachlan Doheny and Dana Fourie as back row and lock support. Backs subs offer a mix of youth and experience with the squad’s youngest player, scrumhalf Chui Wai Lap, joining two of its most experienced campaigners in Tom Hill and Joe Barker. Five of the squad have faced USA previously with the last meeting coming in Dubai in 2022, a 49-7 HKCR loss: Hrstich, Post, Solomona, De Thierry and Hill.
World Class Rugby Returns to Hong Kong on 21 November
The finale of the Nations Cup will see HKCR host Tonga on 21 Nov. in a doubleheader with the Men’s and Women’s XVs both taking on the Pacific Island rugby powerhouse at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. Fans can purchase tickets via the HKCR fanzone. Reserved seating for the matches is HK$250, with Adult prices at $180, Students at $140, Children at $100. Registered HKCR club members are eligible for a HK$50 discount across all ticket classes.
Hong Kong China Rugby Nations Cup Squad vs USA. 8 Nov 2026
1. Sunia FAMEITAU; 2. Alex POST; 3. Faizal SOLOMONA-PENESA; 4. James RIVERS 5. Maximilian MURHPY; 6. Jack BARTLETT; 7. Callum MCCULLOUGH; 8. Josh HRSTICH (Captain); 9. Jack COMBES; 10. Nathan De THIERRY; 11. Harry SAYERS 12. Isaac CAMPBELL-WU; 13. Marcus RAMAGE; 14. Seb BRIEN 15. Dylan McCANN Charles HIGSON-SMITH; 15. Paul ALTIER; 16. Harry BARON; 17. Thomas CONCU; 18. Keelan CHAPMAN; 19. Lachlan DOHENY; 20. Dana FOURIE; 21. CHUI Wai Lap 22. Joe BARKER 23. Thomas HILL Coach: Alexander DOUGLAS
