China Lions


The China Lions is a professional rugby union team that competes in Global Rapid Rugby across the Asia-Pacific region. The team was formed in 2020 as a joint venture between the China Rugby Football Association and New Zealand's Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

Home field

For their first season in 2020 the Lions intended to host three of their home games in China at Shanghai and two in New Zealand at the Rotorua International Stadium. However, due to health concerns relating to the coronavirus pandemic, the matches originally planned for China were moved to Australia and New Zealand. Two of the games were scheduled at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide, and one at Owen Delany Park in Taupo.

Squad

The inaugural Lions squad is predominantly made up of New Zealand players but also includes members of the China national team and players with test caps for other nations.

Honours

Head coaches