Former England Captain Steve Borthwick to Lead Saracens Team in Hong Kong

Former England captain Steve Borthwick will lead a powerful Saracens team to play the BGC APBs in Hong Kong's Chartis Cup on Saturday, 9 June 2012.

The squad includes 2007 World Cup-winning Springbok captain John Smit, England internationals Borthwick, Richard Wigglesworth and Hugh Vyvyan, England Saxons Adam Powell and Nils Mordt, plus a host of up-and-coming stars including Jamie George, George Kruis, James Short, Jackson Wray, Will Fraser and Mako Vunipola.

There is also a place in the Saracens squad for current England U18 international Nathan Earle, who will return to Hong Kong, his birthplace.

Saracens, the 2011 English Premiership champions, will take on a star-studded BGC APBs team who include the likes of legends Mils Muliaina, Jerry Collins, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Rico Gear, Shane Williams and the Tuilagi brothers, Alesana and Henry.

"We're very excited about this Saracens visit to the Far East and we're looking forward to playing the BGC APBs in a highly competitive game,” said Borthwick, the Saracens captain. “After watching the Hong Kong Sevens on TV, we can't wait to experience the unique atmosphere generated at the Hong Kong Stadium."

The Chartis Cup will be the centrepiece of a day-long rugby festival at Hong Kong Stadium and nearby So Kon Po Sports Ground that will feature minis and veterans tournaments plus a family-friendly Rugby Village at the Indian Recreation Club that will boast F&B, a children’s play area and big TV screens so fans can watch the day’s international matches later in the evening.

Admission to the Rugby Village is free. And, as a bonus, the BGC APBs and Saracens players will drop by after the Chartis Cup to mingle with spectators and sign autographs.

The Chartis Cup is a charity match, with proceeds going to the Royal Project office in Thailand to help rebuild schools in areas affected by the massive flooding in parts of the country late last year.

Tickets for the Chartis Cup are priced at HK$300 for adults and HK$50 for children.

See also: 74 High Resolution Pictures from the action at the Chartis Cup 2012.

Chartis Cup 2012 - Interview with Chartis Asia Pacific Chairman, Mr Les Mouat

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