WEST FIFE rugby star Gregor McNeish is aiming to enjoy continental glory for a second successive year after returning to play for Hong Kong.

The Dunfermline-born player, who qualified to play for the team under residency rules, having previously gone there to work as a PE teacher, is back with their squad to compete in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) 2023.

Having won the competition last year, which put them into the Asia / Pacific play-off for this year's Rugby World Cup, McNeish and his team-mates played Malaysia, today, in their first match.

In what was their first men's home test in four years, Hong Kong took a 3-0 lead after 90 seconds through the reliable boot of three-time Scotland club XV cap McNeish, who is now playing for VPC Andorra.

Fly half McNeish's penalty was the first of a personal 22-point haul, including seven conversions and a try, as Hong Kong claimed an impressive 88-9 victory.

They scored 13 tries, with McNeish crossing for their fourth of sixth before the interval, by which time they had established a 45-6 advantage.

Hong Kong's win was the second match in the round-robin format and, with South Korea having defeated Malaysia 27-3 on June 3, has set up a decider between those two teams this Saturday.

McNeish and his team-mates are aiming to defend the trophy they won last summer, which was sealed by his penalty in the final minute of their 23-21 win over South Korea.

As well as clinching the ARC, that victory sent Hong Kong into the Asia / Pacific play-off for the World Cup, which takes place in France, beginning in September, against Tonga.

Hong Kong were defeated 44-22 in the match, played in Queensland, Australia, which saw their opponents advance to take their place in Pool B for the finals, alongside Scotland, Ireland, reigning world champions South Africa, and Romania.

The loss then gave Hong Kong one last chance to reach France when they joined Portugal, the United States and Kenya in the final qualification tournament, held in Dubai in November.

With one place up for grabs, the event, held in a round-robin format, Hong Kong, after losses to Portugal and the USA, missed out on what would've been a first-ever World Cup, despite a 22-18 win over Kenya.

Portugal advanced to the tournament, taking their place in Pool C alongside Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia.

Today's match will be streamed on the 'Asia Rugby Live' YouTube channel, and begins at 10am UK time.