‘Ambition’ key to Abu Dhabi Saracens’ promotion

09:18 04/12/2013
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  • UAE Rugby Association (UAERA) CEO Ian Bremner has revealed the scale of Abu Dhabi Saracens’ ambition made it an easy decision to include the newcomers in this season’s Premiership.

    The capital club – formed just 12 months ago – take their place in the top flight as Al Ain and TOA Dubai, renamed Arabian Knights, drop down to the Conference.

    Sarries finished well behind Abu Dhabi rivals Harlequins 2nds in the race for the second tier title in their first season, but the UAERA had no hesitation including them in the top flight in just their second year.

    The new boys have been handed a tough opening assignment with a trip to 7he Sevens to face defending champions Dubai Hurricanes on September 28.

    But Bremner believes their rivalry with Quins can only be good for the growth of the game in the capital. “Saracens are ambitious and it wasn’t very difficult to see that a second team in Abu Dhabi would make a lot of sense,” Bremner said.

    “Clearly a bit of rivalry between them and Quins and that’s great and can only help the promotion of the game there.”

    He added: “You’ve just got to admire their ambition, and we’re there to service that ambition.”

    Elsewhere, last year’s runners-up, and Gulf Top Six champions, Quins, open their campaign with a home game against Jebel Ali Dragons while Dubai Wasps host Dubai Exiles.

    In a change to last year’s schedule, the Premiership campaign will be played first, starting on September 28 and culminating on November 9 with a Grand Final between the top two sides.

    The top four teams will qualify for the Gulf Top Six, which is scheduled to take place in the New Year, while the two teams that miss out will join the newly formed four-team Gulf Conference.

    The switch to the calendar was made in order to better accommodate the period of domestic sevens around the Dubai Rugby Sevens and also help the UAE prepare for the Asian 5 Nations at the end of the season.

    “We wanted the club (game) to build towards the A5N, which is of course an extremely important part for us,” UAE performance manager Duncan Hall said.

    Opening fixtures – Friday, September 28

    Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
    Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
    Dubai Wasps v Dubai Exiles

    Times: TBA

     

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