China Lions

The China Lions is a professional rugby union team that was formed in 2020 to compete in the Global Rapid Rugby competition across the Asia-Pacific region. It is a joint venture between the Chinese [Rugby Football Association|China Rugby Football Association] and New Zealand's Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

History

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]. Due to health concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the Lions only played one match in the schedule, a 29–22 away win over the Fijian Latui in Suva.