2023 men’s Rugby World Cup qualifiers explained – How Hong Kong can earn a spot in France
- Hong Kong may have to play Samoa or Tonga to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France
- First, Hong Kong must win the men’s Asian Rugby Championship to earn the right to play one of the Pacific island nations
World Rugby has announced the France 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifying process, by which the final eight spots will be determined, and the Hong Kong men’s team could have two bites at the cherry via a play-off and a final qualification tournament.
There are 12 teams who have already secured their places by finishing in the top three of their pools in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. They are Ireland, South Africa, England, New Zealand, Wales, Japan, France, Australia, Scotland, Italy, Argentina and Fiji.
The remaining eight spots will be spread across the world via regional or cross-regional competitions. The spots up for grabs are Americas one and two, Europe one and two, Africa, Oceania, Asia-Pacific and a final qualification winner.
Hong Kong will be competing for the Asia-Pacific spot or the final qualification winner.
Americas one and two: The qualification path for North and South American teams is yet to be determined, but the winner and runner-up will earn the spots, while the third best team of whatever tournament they devise will earn a spot in the final qualification tournament.
