ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

18.04.2015
Japan 56, Korea 30 in Incheon (ARC Top 3)
Lebanon 27, Iran 8 in Beruit (ARC Div.3, West)

Briefly
A comfortable win by Japan over a plucky Korea. Korea’s game against Hong Kong next weekend will be crucial.

I was surprised by the Lebanon-Iran score line. I was expecting a comfortable win by Iran.

ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 3, West

18.04.2015
Lebanon v Iran

Venue: Jouniehs Fouad Chehab Stadium, Beruit

These two teams have not yet met in a test rugby international.

Previously in this tournament
14/04: Lebanon 71, Jordan 3
16/04: Iran 49, Jordan 3

Preview
Iran figures well ahead of Lebanon in previous Asia rugby tournaments. Without knowing the teams I’m assuming Iran did not field their strongest team against Jordan last week. On the basis of the scores this should be a close encounter. But on the basis of previous experience at international level I would give Iran favouritism.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table: Iran 13th, Lebanon 14th

World Rugby rankings do not apply as neither nation is a full member.

Prediction: Iran by 5 points. Score 17-12

       

Teams are not available

ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 3 West

14.04.2015
Lebanon 71, Jordan 3 in Beriut

16.04.2015
Iran v Jordan in Beriut

These teams have never met in a test rugby international before. Iran was playing Asia Nations Division 2 last season, way above the standard of both Jordan and Lebanon.

Prediction: Iran by 93 points: Score 95-3

18.04.2015
Lebanon v Iran

Briefly
The change of date for this tournament snuck up on me. Lebanon outclassed Jordon on the first day. Iran is expected to be too strong for Jordan on the second day setting up a ‘grand final’ between the hosts and Iran Saturday.

Qatar pulled out of this tournament changing the format.

ARC Division 3 is split into West and East tournaments. These nations do not qualify for Rugby World Cup qualification matches.

Article here http://www.arfu.com/news/2015/04/arc-div-3w-kicks-off-at-jouniehs-fouad-chehab-stadium-in-lebanon-1

ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP (ARC) 2015

Top 3

18.04.2015: Japan v Korea in Seoul
24.04.2015: Korea v Hong Kong in Hong Kong
02.05.2015: Hong Kong v Japan in Tokyo
09.05.2015: Korea v Japan in Fukuoka
16.05.2015: Hong Kong v Korea in Seoul
23.05.2015: Japan v Hong Kong in Hong Kong

ARC Division 1
Teams: Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Kazakhstan
May 3-9 in Manila

ARC Division 2
Teams: Chinese Taipei, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Thailand
May 10-16 in Kuala Lumpur

ARC Division 3 South/Central
Teams: India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan
May 24-30 in Tashkent

ARC Division 3 West
Teams: Qatar, Lebanon, Iran, Jordan
May 15-18 in Lebanon
This is a non-World Rugby/World Cup Group.

ARC Division 3 East
Teams: Guam, Indonesia, China
June 7-13 in Jakarta

ARC Division 4
Teams: Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Macao, Nepal.
Date and venue TBD.

www.rugbyinternational.net