**Welsh Rugby Veteran Inspires Hong Kong China Team to Historic World Cup Berth**
A prominent figure in Welsh rugby has traded the green fields of Newport for the bustling streets of Hong Kong, bringing with him a wealth of experience that has helped guide an unheralded rugby squad to unprecedented heights. Former Dragons back row stalwart, Lewis Evans, has been instrumental in helping Hong Kong China qualify for their very first Rugby World Cup, an achievement that has set the stage for a potential fairytale campaign in Australia in 2027.
Evans, now aged 38, enjoyed a distinguished 15-year spell with the Dragons in Wales, representing his home nation in various age groups and even making a mark in the Sevens format. His post-playing career took a dramatic turn in 2021, when he accepted the challenge of coaching and developing rugby in Asia, a region with a burgeoning but still nascent rugby culture. Evans’s transition has been marked by both professional growth and personal adaptation, leaving behind the familiar surroundings of Wales to embrace life in Hong Kong.
The fruits of this bold move became apparent last month, as Hong Kong China stormed to their sixth straight Asia Rugby Championship title. The team’s comprehensive 70-22 victory over South Korea was not only a reflection of their dominance in the region, but also acted as a springboard to the expanded 2027 Rugby World Cup, now set to feature 24 nations. The sense of pride and optimism is palpable within the squad, many of whom are juggling demanding professional lives outside rugby.
“Of course, we understand we aren’t likely to lift the Webb Ellis Cup,” Evans remarked in an interview with the BBC, “but inspiration can be drawn from teams like Portugal, whose spirited displays at the last tournament won many admirers. We aim to capture hearts in a similar fashion.” Evans emphasised that maintaining competitiveness and possibly securing a single victory would be considered a major accomplishment for his side, given the calibre of opposition that awaits in Australia.
For many of the Hong Kong China players, rugby is far from a full-time pursuit. Though the team recently secured funding to allow 22 players to train as professionals, the majority still hold down jobs. Their squad features a remarkable mix of personal trainers, educators, finance professionals, and even a crypto-currency solicitor. Evans credits this diversity for fostering a special spirit within the camp, noting that balancing work commitments and international rugby duty requires exceptional dedication and sacrifice.
“We’ve managed to get stronger physically and develop a coherent game plan since the Chinese New Year, thanks to the increased time together,” said Evans. “Some athletes come from our Sevens programme and are able to commit full-time, while others balance rugby with their careers in a hybrid model. It’s a testament to the players’ passion for the game and willingness to go the extra mile.”
The scale of Evans’s own transition should not be underestimated. Having spent his entire life living within a stone’s throw of the M4 motorway, the move to Hong Kong represented a significant cultural and professional leap. Initially intending to stay for just two years, Evans is now four years into his Asian adventure and has recently committed to a further two years, describing his tenure as a “six-year mission”.
He reflects that coaching in Hong Kong has provided invaluable opportunities for growth. The local rugby landscape, while still developing, offers exposure to fresh coaching philosophies and international collaboration, which Evans believes has been transformative for both his career and his approach to the sport.
Looking ahead to 2027, Hong Kong China approaches rugby’s biggest stage as major underdogs, yet Evans is confident that the experience will be invaluable for his players and the sport’s development in the region as a whole. The World Cup, he believes, should be a showcase for emerging nations, and hopes that his team’s journey can inspire similar breakthroughs elsewhere.
As anticipation builds for the next World Cup, Evans’s journey from Welsh rugby hero to pioneering coach in Hong Kong stands as a compelling narrative of risk-taking, adaptability, and the global growth of rugby union.