Hong Kong V Korea: Teams named for crucial Top 3 finale

Hong Kong V Korea, The teams have been named for the upcoming Asia Rugby Championship Top 3 finale between Korea and Hong Kong.

For hosts Hong Kong they know a win will ensure they win a first-ever Top 3 and progress to face the Cook Islands in the next stage of Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification.

Having rested several players for their victory against Malaysia head coach Leigh Jones makes no fewer than 12 changes as well as two positional changes.

In the forwards Nick Hewson is the only player to retain his place with all other seven positions changes including the inclusion of captain James Cunningham.

In the backs, Conor Hartley is rewarded for his hat-trick with a spot on the opposite wingm while Matthew Rosslee switches from centre back to fly-half.

“The big picture is definitely the world cup, and there a couple of steps on the way there,” said Cunningham.

“The last win over Korea gave us an idea of where we are and what we have to work on going forward.

“They have a big pack and it will be similar to the packs we will come up against if we do make it to the repechage with the likes of Canada, so it’s a good test and shows us where we need to work on and areas we need to get stronger in.”

For the visitors Korea there are four changes and two positional from the side that beat Malaysia on home soil two weeks ago.

In the forwards Jin Seok Lee comes into the second row alongside Seok Hwan Jang, while Taeh Yeon Kang plays at tighthead prop.

In the backs Seon Gu Kim will play at centre with the impressive Seong Min Jang switch to outside centre.

On the wings there is also a starting position for Nam Uk Kim, as Korea look to bounce back from their last meeting with Hong Kong – a 30-21 defeat in Incheon in round three of the ARC Top 3.

You can watch all of the match live on Asia Rugby’s Facebook page, at this link: bit.ly/ARC-Live

Hong Kong XV for match Hong Kong V Korea

15. Rob Keith, 14. Kam Shing Yiu, 13. Jack Neville, 12. Max Woodward, 11. Conor Hartley, 10. Matthew Rosslee, 9. Liam Slatem, 8. Thomas Lamboley, 7. Toby Fenn, 6. Nick Hewson, 5. Kyle Sullivan, 4. James Cunningham, 3. Dylan Rogers, 2. Ben Roberts, 1. Dan Barlow

Korea XV for match Hong Kong V Korea

15. Jae Bok Lee, 14. Jeong Min Jang, 13. Seong Min Jang, 12. Seon Gu Kim 11. Nam Uk Kim, 10. Youn Hyung Oh, 9. Ki Cheol Shin 8. Yong Seung Lee (captain), 7. Injo Hwang, 6. Sung Kun Cha, 5. Jin Seok Lee 4. Seok Hwan Jang, 3. Taeh Yeon Kang, 2. Ji Hoon You, 1. Kwanyoung Na

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