Nick Easter to Play in Chartis Cup in Hong Kong on Saturday

Harlequins and England No.8 Nick Easter will bring his Premiership-winning skills to Hong Kong this week as part of the powerful BGC APBs squad that will take on Saracens in the Chartis Cup on Saturday, 9 June 2012.

Easter joins an awesome group of back-row specialists that already includes All Blacks icon Jerry Collins, Samoa's Henry Tuilagi, Japan legend Takuro Miuchi and 100-cap Wales hero Martyn Williams.

A trio of stars who play for the Blues in Super Rugby have also been confirmed for the BGC APBs – props Pauliasi Manu and Angus Ta'avao along with centre Francis Saili, who made a stunning impact in Saturday's performance against the Chiefs.

Another world-class addition is hooker Mahonri Schwalger, Samoa’s captain during last year’s Rugby World Cup and a key player for the high-flying Chiefs in the current Super Rugby campaign.

Local rugby will be represented by Hong Kong Football Club and national team scrumhalf Pete McKee.

Easter, capped 47 times by England and a veteran of the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, joins up with the BGC APBs after playing a key role for Harlequins in their English Premiership triumph.

Also arriving in Hong Kong on a high will be Wales winger Shane Williams and Samoa scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali'i, fresh from helping Ospreys land the RaboDirect PRO12 title.

“We’ve assembled a squad of proven winners,” said BGC APBs chairman, Jon Phelps. “We have World Cup veterans, seasoned test performers, and some of the most exciting talents in Super Rugby and northern hemisphere rugby.”

Other big names in the BGC APBs line-up include All Blacks quartet Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Rico Gear and Troy Flavell, Fijian flyer Vilimoni Delasau and Samoa’s 2011 World Cup centre Seilala Mapusua.

World Cup winner Muliaina, Mapusua and former Japan captain Miuchi were all members of the BGC APBs squad that triumphed in the GFI HKFC Tens in March.

The BGC APBs will take on Saracens in the Chartis Cup at 18:00 this Saturday (9 June) at Hong Kong Stadium.

For Saracens, former England skipper Steve Borthwick will lead a powerful team that includes 2007 World Cup-winning Springbok captain John Smit and England internationals Richard Wigglesworth and Hugh Vyvyan.

The Chartis Cup will be the centrepiece of a day-long rugby festival at Hong Kong Stadium and nearby So Kon Po Sports Ground that will feature minis and veterans tournaments plus a family-friendly Rugby Village at the Indian Recreation Club for which admission is free.

Tickets for the Chartis Cup cost HK$300 for adults and HK$50 for children.

See also: 74 High Resolution Pictures from the action at the Chartis Cup 2012.

Chartis Cup 2012 - Interview with Chartis Asia Pacific Chairman, Mr Les Mouat

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