An entirely new-look Hong Kong will head to Sri Lanka on Friday to start the defence of the city’s Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship title, little more than an hour after the senior team has finished taking on Japan A in Oita.

Some 53 players will be in action over the next week and more, as coaches work towards finalising their squad for the Nations Cup this summer and continue to build towards next year’s World Cup.

With another seven players unavailable through injury or for personal reasons, head coach Logan Asplin said there were “big opportunities” for members of both squads.

Josh Hrstich will again lead the Hong Kong team in Japan, where his side will face one that beat them 59-14 at Kai Tak Stadium little more than six months ago.

While any definition of progress among supporters will almost certainly be measured by the scoreline, Asplin considers the tour to also be about “showing clear growth – staying competitive for longer, executing under pressure and really challenging ourselves against quality opposition”.

The players missing reads like a who’s who of those who were instrumental in getting Hong Kong to the World Cup.