After an opening day defeat to Dubai Exiles, Abu Dhabi Saracens head coach Ali Thompson says it is time for his side’s rugby to do the talking.
Thompson had previously spoken of Sarries’ need to step out of the shadow of their more illustrious city rivals Harlequins and says there is no time like the present.
The 36-year-old switched allegiences to Sarries in 2013 after six years with Quins as player and coach, and was named head coach this summer.
The Scotsman admits he faces a massive challenge to overhaul the more famous Abu Dhabi team.
It is part of the reason he made the move across the capital and Thompson, who has eight UAE caps to his name and counts captaining the Falcons among his proudest career achievements, says his major goal is to make Sarries soar.
Thompson said: “Saracens are a young club and last year they presented me with a challenge. I felt my experience could help Sarries in a number of ways.
“I felt I had a little more to give than just playing and one thing led to another and now I’m coach. And I’m looking forward to the future and what my team can bring to the table this season.”
After their 25-23 defeat at Exiles on Friday, Thompson said: “The time for talking is now over – I want our rugby to do the talking.”
Thompson admitted the challenge of changing perceptions about Sarries was a hugh motivational factor behind his decision to take up the Al Ghazal hot seat.
“We worked hard in the off season to locate players and attract them to the club. I want to be in a position where new players coming to the city think twice and would consider joining us over Quins.”
Thompson said there would be no better way to do that than by qualifying for the Gulf Top Six, and he is challenging his Sarries’ squad to win their next four Premiership games in order to do so.
