This week Matt Jones profiles Dubai Sharks full-back Alan Robertson.
Height: 5’ 11’’ / 1.55m
Weight: 12st 5lbs / 80kg
Position: Full-back
Age: 32
Birthplace: Aberdeen, Scotland
Years in UAE: Four
Honours: Surviving a Dubai Sharks social night out
Favourite childhood memory of rugby: Captaining a very young Abu Dhabi Bats side at one of the early Dubai 7’s, and accepting a medal from John Jeffrey, aka the Great White Shark.
Favourite player growing up: Gregor Townsend. During the 1990 Five Nations he scored a try against every nation. He’s doing very well as head coach of Glasgow Warriors. Give him the Scotland job.
Rugby team you support: Scotland and Edinburgh
Best international player at the moment and why: Ben Smith. He is a true attacking weapon, could play anywhere across the back line.
Rule you would change and why: Where a defending scrum-half can stand at a scrum. In my view they should stand at the rear foot of their own scrum, therefore not disrupting the attaching scum half. This would allow attacking scrum halves to give more clean balls from scrums and more exciting play.
Best game you ever saw: Probably the 2010 Six Nations Wales v Scotland game. Although we eventually lost, it was one of the most intense and entertaining games I’ve seen.
Toughest opponent in UAE: Al Ain Amblers and their Fijian flyers
Funniest moment in your career: While playing at Jebel Ali, I received a pass about five metres out and dived for the try line. After celebrating from the bottom of the ruck I realised I had dived for the wrong line (it was the soccer lines).
Greatest achievement in any sport: Please… too many to list
If you could be a professional in any other sport what it would be and why? MotoGP rider. I’ve always loved motorcycles and currently have a Yamaha R6. Favourite meal: Stovies at 3am in Aberdeen (Google it!)
Favourite place in the UAE: McGettigans of course
