The former back rower is hoping his new team will become the darlings of the next World Cup in Australia
14:10, 06 Aug 2025Updated 14:16, 06 Aug 2025
Evans swapped Wales for Hong Kong after retiring(Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Former Dragons back rower Lewis Evans says Hong Kong China are hoping to become the “darlings” of the 2027 Rugby World Cup after helping them to qualify for the tournament for the first time.
Evans retired from professional rugby in 2021 after spending 15 years with the Dragons and representing Wales at all age-grade levels, as well as in Sevens outfit. A well-respect name across Welsh rugby, he has since taken his expertise to Asia, helping the Hong Kong China team to make history.
The 38-year-old from Newport was part of the management team as they won their sixth successive Asia Rugby Championship title, courtesy of an emphatic 70-22 win over South Korea last month. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
That victory not only secured them the championship but also saw them qualify for the 2027 tournament in Australia, which has been expanded to include 24 teams.
Speaking to the BBC, Evans explained that while Hong Kong China know they aren’t going to be lifting the Webb Ellis Cup come the end of the competition, they are hoping to emulate the likes of Portugal, who became tournament favourites in France in 2023.
“We aren’t going to win the World Cup, but look at what Portugal did last time, we want to be the darlings of the tournament,” he said.
“Winning one game will be a challenge and so would be staying competitive given that we are going up against top teams. Facing South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand, England would be very tough, but if you can’t build yourself up for that…
“Give us another year with a full-time programme and we will show that we’ve got good players who deserve to go up against quality teams. Expansion of the World Cup is important to give emerging nations the chance to be on that big stage trying to compete.”
While Evans’ team – who are currently ranked 23rd in the world – will be coming up against some of rugby’s biggest names, they have only recently secured 22 players on a full-time basis.
“Since the Chinese New Year we have had 22 players who are full-time and that has got them physically fitter and working to a game plan,” the coach added.
“We are in a good place to build and are able to utilise sevens boys, who are full-time, while other players are on a hybrid model. We have personal trainers, teachers, bankers and our starting 12, Tommy Hill, is a crypto solicitor who has made a lot of sacrifices.”
Speaking about swapping Wales for Hong Kong in 2021, Evans explained how it was a big jump, considering he had “never lived further than three or four miles from the M4.”
The initial plan was to spend two years in Asia before returning home, but Evans has now been out there for four years and has just signed a two-year extension.
“It will be a six-year mission that I have loved and leaving my comfort zone has been massive for my coaching development,” Evans explained.
“Hong Kong is a brilliant place for a young coach because you get experience of international rugby, but also work alongside coaches from around the world and are exposed to different ideas and thinking.”