Dubai Hurricanes coach Russ Huxtable has urged his side to build on a successful week at the club and secure a second win of the season against Abu Dhabi Harlequins at Zayed Sports City.
The Hurricanes picked up a morale- boosting 52-17 win over Bahrain at 7he Sevens last Friday while their second team beat Al Ain Amblers 23-17 to lift the UAE Conference title.
Three players, Dave Knight, Andy Walker and Alan Foster, have been promoted from the second string to the first team for the trip to Quins and Huxtable is hoping their inclusion can help avenge January’s 20- 19 home defeat.
He said: “I think last week was a great win for us against Bahrain and the seconds’ win in the Conference was great and the boys certainly enjoyed that.
“It’s lifted spirits a bit and we’ve always had good, close games. We won down there before Christmas [24-17] and they beat us here by a point.
“We’ve got a good side out. I am fairly happy with the side we’ve got and very confident. Hopefully, we’ll play for 80 minutes rather than 78 this time.”
Quins ensured they would finish the season on top of the Gulf Top Six for a third year running with a 41-18 win at neighbours Saracens last Friday.
However, they are taking nothing for granted as they welcome Canes to Zayed Sports City.
“It’s not going to be an easy game at all,” player-coach Jeremy Manning, who is without Matt Hutchings, Dan Bell and Chris Green, said.
