Philippine Volcanoes Team for Asian 5 Nations Rugby Championships Announced

The Philippine Rugby Football Union has announced the list of players selected to the team that will compete in the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division 1 Championships scheduled to begin on Sunday, April 15 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila.

Abraham, Phil
Bautista, JC
Bellenie, Matt
Carroll, Terry
Coveney, Justin
Dacanay, Austin
De Guzman, Michael
Duhig, Michael
Gomez, Cleo 
Hitch, Chris
Howorth, Steven
Letts, Jake
Letts, Michael
Matthews, Joseph
Matthews, Luke
Olivier, Patrice
Perez, Tyler
Perry, Nick
Price, James
Saunders, Matt
Saunders, Oliver
Taylor, Richard
Urquijo, Jaime
Ward, Jake
West, Brian

Coach: Expo Mejia
Coach: Jarred Hodges
Manager:  Matt Cullen
Physiotherapist:  Damian Raper
Manager:  Grant Rice

The Philippines is the most successful team in the Asian Five Nations next to Japan. The Volcanoes have lost only one match in the past four years, losing to South Korea in Division 1 last year.  Fielding a 100% Filipino heritage squad with all members having at least one parent or grandparent born in the Philippines, the Volcanoes are eager to claim victory on home soil. The winner of Division 1 will be promoted to the Asian 5 Nations Elite level in 2013 to compete with Asian Rugby powerhouses Japan, Hong Kong, UAE and Kazakhstan. 

Mr. Jarrad Gallagher, Regional General Manager for Asia of the IRB commented on the tournament’s development at every level saying, “Over the years we have seen the matches become more and more competitive, not only have several teams reduced the margins against Japan, but the gaps are closing at every level as a result of the intensity of the HSBC A5N. This can only be a boost for rugby in the region.”

Joining the Philippines in Division 1 are Sri Lanka, Singapore and Chinese Taipei. The teams will play each other in a new round-robin format with the objective of further preparing teams for promotion to the Top 5. To learn more about the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Series, go to www.asian5nations.com

Match Schedule (all matches played at Rizal Memorial Stadium)

Sunday, April 15 
5pm Sri Lanka vs. Chinese Taipei
7pm Singapore vs. Philippines

Wednesday, April 18
5pm Sri Lanka vs. Singapore
7pm Philippines vs. Chinese Taipei

Saturday, April 21
5pm Sri Lanka vs. Philippines
7pm Singapore vs. Chinese Taipei

Admission to the games on April 15 and 18 is free of charge, while tickets are required for April 21. Tickets for April 21 may be purchased at Ticketworld outlets and www.ticketworld.com.ph. The Philippines’ matches will be telecast live on ABS-CBN Studio 23. 

For information on ARFU & the HSBC A5N, contact Sean Moore at sean.moore@elitestep.com
For information on the PRFU & the Philippine Volcanoes, contact Raquel Romero at communications@prfu.com

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