Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) has announced its women's XV squad for the World Rugby WXV Challenger 2026 in HK, with the tournament marking the team's first home internationals since 2024.
The three-round tournament will be held at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, with six teams competing across nine matches from Sept. 13 to 26. Team Hong Kong, China, currently ranked 16th in the world, will face Brazil, Fiji and Samoa.
The WXV Challenger features teams ranked just outside the world's top 12, with Fiji ranked 13th, Spain 14th, Samoa 15th, Hong Kong, China 16th, Brazil 25th and the Netherlands 27th. The final standings will play an important role in the qualification process for the 2028 Rugby World Cup.
Team Hong Kong, China will open its campaign against Brazil at 3.30 p.m. on Sept. 13. It will then face Fiji at 3.30 p.m. on Sept. 19 before taking on Samoa at 3.30 p.m. on Sept. 26.
The matches will mark a return to home soil for the HKCR Women's XV after a two-year absence. The team was the first HK representative rugby side to qualify for a Rugby World Cup, making its debut at the 2017 tournament in Ireland.
Five players from that historic 2017 squad remain in the current team. All five are forwards and include former captain Chow Mei-nam and Lee Ka-shun, HK's most-capped women's XV international, who could earn her 40th cap during the WXV Challenger. Tammy Lau Nga-wun, Pun Wai-yan and Winnie Siu Win-ni are the other three veterans.
"Being the most veteran player in this squad, my mindset is to treat every single match as if it were my very last," Lee said. "This tournament is the final stretch of the whole cycle. Whether I start or come on as a substitute, I want to treasure every single minute I get to represent HK. I want to cherish these opportunities and give it my absolute all."
The tournament has been awarded "M" Mark status by HK's Major Sports Events Committee.
Tickets information
Tickets are available through the Hong Kong China Rugby ticketing platform and the HKCR ticketing app.
Single-round tickets cost HK$180 for adults, HK$140 for students and HK$100 for children, while reserved seating starts at HK$250. Tournament packages covering all three rounds and all matches start at HK$450 for adults, HK$350 for students and HK$250 for children.
HKCR Women's XV squad
Forwards: Lee Ka-shun, Chow Mei-nam, Tammy Lau Nga-wun, Kea Herewini, Pun Wai-yan, Winnie Siu Win-ni, Fion Got, Roshini Turner, Chloe Baltazar, Ng Ki-sum, Kristie Stevenson, Grace Hood, Jenna Potgieter, Tanya Dhar, Isobel Littlehailes, Iris Lam
Backs: Fung Hoi-ching, Lucia Bolton, Abigail Chan, Ching Yi-shek, Georgia Cutt, Rosie Down, Lauren Knowler, Ella Lynam, Sabay Lynam, Lara Schats, Zoe Smith, Wan Tsz-yau
Management: Selene Cooper (Manager); Tumua Ioane (Lead Coach); Charli Jacoby (Assistant Coach); Terry Sibanda (Assistant Coach); Sam Hocking (Assistant Coach); Ian Bonnet (Strength and Conditioning Coach); Jake Martin (Analyst); Suzzen Chong (Sports Rehabilitator); Olivia Chiu (Physio)
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