Players react during the Hong Kong Sevens series match at the Hong Kong Stadium on March 31, 2023. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Rugby fans thronged the Hong Kong Stadium on Friday, as the highly anticipated Hong Kong Sevens kicked off there.

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For the first time in the event’s history, the top 12 women’s teams, including Hong Kong China, joined the men’s series for the thrilling three-day competition.

China Daily's Calvin Ng took the photos on Friday.