Hong Kong will host another significant rugby tournament this year, with the game’s global governing body awarding the city the WXV Challenger in September.

The two-week tournament, featuring some of the best women’s teams in the world, including Hong Kong, is expected to be held at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground.

Announcing the decision on Sunday on the sidelines of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson called the WXV a “very, very important competition” for his organisation.

Robinson also confirmed that Hong Kong would host a Nations Cup match later this year. The game, which forms part of the build-up to the 2027 World Cup, is likely to involve Tonga taking on the city’s men in November.

Hosting the two different occasions was evidence of Hong Kong’s “increasing influence as a significant global player”, Robinson added.

“This is hugely exciting for us,” James Farndon, the CEO of Hong Kong China Rugby, said. “Our women’s team are hugely passionate about representing Hong Kong and having a tournament of this magnitude on home soil is huge for us.”