Phl Volcanoes face Japan in Asian rugby

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Volcanoes, the biggest success story in Asian rugby in recent years, try to make one more giant step as they kick off their campaign in the 2013 HSBC Asian Five Nations (HSBC A5N) versus titleholder Japan in Fukuoka on April 20.

Promoted by HSBC A5N Division One winners last year, the Philippine Volcanoes host United Arab Emirates at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on May 18.

The Volcanoes have made giant waves, faring well in the traditional version of the game to earn a berth with Japan and Hong Kong as Asia’s representatives at the World Cup Sevens in Moscow in June.

This year’s HSBC A5N features 30 test matches in nine countries in four months.

The tournament opened in Colombo, Sri Lanka yesterday with a game beetween the host team and Kazakhstan XV, which is aching on returning to the premier Top 5 division after its relegation for the first time ever in 2012.

Sri Lanka, which had its first taste of Top 5 rugby in 2011, will be keen to return in time for a final crack at direct qualification for the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Rounding out the competition in Colombo is an up and coming young Chinese Taipei side which beat Singapore last season in Manila to stay in Division I. Newly promoted Thailand will bring a battle-tested side that won Division II last season in a nail-biting finale versus hosts Malaysia and then survived a tense RWC 2015 qualification play-off with Division III champions India to book its place in Sri Lanka.