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Matt Worley called up to represent Hong Kong
Matt Worley is set to become the 42nd player to receive international recognition while a Bedford Blues player having been called up to the Hong Kong squad set to face South Korea next month in the final of the 2022 Asia Rugby Championship (Saturday 9th July).
Lewis Evans’ side are two-time reigning champions of the tournament having won the competition when it was last staged in 2018 and 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has since halted the tournament, but they are now back looking to make it a hat-trick this year.
The 2022 edition of the tournament holds more significance than previous years with a spot in a 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifier up for grabs for the team that comes out on top at the Incheon Namdong Asiad Rugby Field in northwest South Korea.
Should Hong Kong progress, they will go on to face Tonga later in July for the right to be one of the teams in France next year for the showpiece event.
Within the Hong Kong squad, Worley is one of two players from the Championship to be included, alongside Nottingham Rugby’s Jack Neville.
Worley will become the first player to receive recognition from Hong Kong while a Bedford player, with the previous 41 internationals representing England (27), Scotland (3), Ireland (2), Tonga (2), Canada (2), Italy (2), USA (1), Samoa (1) and Wales (1).
Fly half Will Hooley was the last player to feature on the international stage while at Goldington Road, making a number of appearances for the United States during his time in Bedford, including the final ones at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Discussing his international call-up, Worley said: “It’s a great honour to be selected to represent Hong Kong, where I spent my childhood. It’s been a dream of mine from when I was chucking the ball around with my mates at my local club HKFC, so to be able to finally represent them is really special.
“It’s a real privilege to be joining a select group of players to have received international recognition while playing for Bedford Blues.
“I hope to do all the #BluesFamily proud while I’m away and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone back at Goldington Road on my return.”
