Jebel Ali Dragons will begin the defence of their UAE Premiership title at Xodus Wasps, following the announcement of next season’s rugby fixtures in the Gulf region.
The Dragons beat Dubai Hurricanes in the competition’s final last term, after finishing a point ahead of them at the top of the standings.
New coaching trio Sean Crombie, Murray Strang and Michael Lewis will hope to continue that success, beginning with the first round of matches which all kick off at 19:00 on Friday, September 26.
Predecessor Ross Mills starts his spell in charge of Canes with a mouthwatering clash with Gulf Top Six table toppers Abu Dhabi Harlequins at Zayed Sports City, with Ali Thompson’s reign as Abu Dhabi Saracens coach opening at home to Dubai Exiles.
Last term’s ARFU West Asia Cup finalists meet the following Friday, as Quins look to gain some revenge for April’s 32-11 defeat when they travel to Centre of Excellence to play Jebel Ali.
On Friday, October 31, the winner of the UAE Premiership will be decided in the final.
The elite Gulf Top Six – featuring the top four teams from the UAE Premiership and top two from the Gulf Premiership – is scheduled to start on January 9, 2015, with the showpiece West Asia Club Championship Final to follow on March 20.
Meanwhile, the winter months in the UAE will be dominated by sevens tournaments.
Proceedings begin with the first round of the UAE Rugby Eden Park 7s in Dubai on November 21, with the return round in Abu Dhabi a week later.
The standout occasion in the Emirates rugby calendar is the fantastic Dubai Sevens weekend event from December 4-6.
A collection of the finest amateur and professional teams from across the globe will congregate at 7he Sevens Stadium to contest a number of prizes.
