Rugby World Cup team make head coach change one year out from debut

Men’s Rugby World Cup debutants Hong Kong China have decided to revert back to Andrew Douglas as head coach one year out from the tournament in Australia.

Douglas, who successfully led the Asian team through RWC 2027 qualifying, stood down shortly after their ticket to Australia had been punched to focus on his Head of Technical Rugby role with the Hong Kong China RU.

Logan Asplin was promoted to the role of head coach in his place, having previously served as an assistant to Douglas, but the more experienced of the two Kiwis is now the man in charge again.

Asplin, who led Hong Kong China to a 42-40 Nations Cup victory over Uruguay in his fourth and final Test in charge in July, has been kept on by the union as attack coach, while Toby Booth returns as defence/lineout coach.

Booth spent some time working with Hong Kong China as a consultant last year before Harlequins recruited him to their coaching staff.

However, his short-term stint at the London club finished in June and the former Ospreys boss is back on board ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

In addition to Booth’s return, Hong Kong China have enlisted the help of  strength and conditioning coach, Allan Ryan, who joins the coaching group on a consultancy basis from Toulouse.

“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.”