Rugby: Volcanoes face Japan in Asian 5 Nations opener

Japan will host the Philippine Volcanoes in Saturday's opening match of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Rugby in Fukuoka.

 

Having been promoted to the Asian Top 5 in 2012, the Philippines will face South Korea, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates in a round-robin competition set to run from April 20 to May 18. 

 

The Philippines have home advantage in their match against Hong Kong on May 4 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The Volcanoes play South Korea on May 11 in Ansan, South Korea, then return home for their match against UAE.

 

The Philippine Rugby Football Union had earlier released the names of players included in the Asian 5 Nations squad:

 

Abraham, Phil Benares

Aronson, Alexander

Bellenie, Matthew Orag

Carroll, Terry Javier

Clarke, Joven Briones 

Coveney, Justin Villazor

Dacanay, Austin Garnica

De Guzman, Michael

Duhig, Michael Estrada

Gomez, Cleo Ferrer

Gregson, Jeff

Hagan, Graeme

Hitch, Chris Baltazar

Holgate, Gareth Dela Rosa

Howorth, Steve Pagtalunan

Letts, Jake Robrigado

Letts, Michael Robrigado

Matthews, Joseph Bembo

Matthews, Luke Bembo

Morris, Fred Dionson

Olivier, Patrice Ortiz

Perry, Nick Ergina

Pineda, Nick

Price, James Carandang

Robinson-Polkey, David

Saunders, Ben Abalos

Saunders, Matthew Abalos

Seeto, Darran  Centillas

Sutcliffe, Josh Torres

Taylor, Richard

Urquijo, Jaime Zobel

Ward, Jake

West, Brian - Nadz Ruiz/RAF, GMA News