HSBC Asian Five Nations Series 2010 launched

Hong Kong: The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) and Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Wednesday launched the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Series (HSBC A5N) 2010.

The elite Top 5 competition is doubling as the culmination of a three-year, 32-match Rugby World Cup qualification process and will be played across a five-week, single round robin, home and away format.

The Top 5 teams (by 2009 rankings) are Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Hong Kong and the Arabian Gulf. Test matches will be held on consecutive weekends throughout April 24 to May 22, 2010.

In its third season, the HSBC A5N and ARFU continues to grow, expanding from 26 to 28 Asian nations and territories with the addition of UAE and Lebanon.

Outside of the Top 5, the tournament consists of three promotion and relegation divisions of four teams each. The competition structure has evolved alongside this growth and increasing competitiveness with the launch a fourth Division, which will be promotion-only, a single regional tournament will be held in Cambodia in June.

"Over the past two years, the HSBC A5N has become a key fixture in the international rugby calendar. With Asia's sole direct qualification spot for the 2011 Rugby World Cup up for grabs, there is even more to play for this season," said Sandy Flockhart, Group Executive Director, Chairman of Commercial, Personal Banking and Insurance, HSBC Group.

In a prepared message, Bernard Lapasset, Chairman of the International Rugby Board said, "Now in its third year, the HSBC A5N is firmly established as the jewel in the crown for Asian Rugby, delivering an annual format that has proven successful... not just in Asia, but around the world.