KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Rugby (MR) have confirmed that they will be using the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Stadium in Serdang, to host the national squad's home game in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC).
MR honorary secretary Fahmy Jalil said the UPM Stadium, which has been used before to host both domestic and junior international rugby competitions, is currently the most suitable location.
MR had used the Sayyidina Hamzah Stadium in Gombak, last season.
The ARC competition kicks-off on June 1.
"We have decided on the UPM Stadium to host our home match against Hong Kong on June 8," said Fahmy when contacted today.
"The stadium and the pitch is in good condition and UPM will not hold any events there until our game is held.
"We welcome fans to come and support the team on matchday. Admission is free of charge."
Malaysia will first face South Korea, who finished runners-up to Hong Kong last year in Incheon, on June 2. Their last match will be against newly promoted United Arab Emirates in Dubai, on June 21.
Fahmy added that the national 15s squad is currently in the second phase of their training programme and will play the Singapore national side in a friendly match as part of their preparations for ARC.
"We will play Singapore on May 11 in Johor, it will be a good chance to gauge how well are preparations are going," said Fahmy.
"For this year, we will be maintaining one naturalised player in the squad — Lee Chapman.
"Roughly 70 per cent of the players will be retained from last year's squad."
England-born Chapman made his debut for the Bunga Raya squad in last year's ARC competition.
Farid Syazwan Abu Bakar remains the head coach for this campaign and Akmal Mohd Yunos is team manager.
