UAE Rugby has announced the National XV’s men’s 32-man training squad ahead of Asian Rugby Football Union’s (ARFU) new tournament, the Asia Rugby Championship.
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Previously played under ‘Asian 5 Nations’ the restructured tournament aims to provide Asia’s rugby union teams with the opportunity to play more games against Unions that are matched in skill and fitness.
The top-tier will be supported by a four-nation Division I tournament, and five other competitive divisions, involving over 21 ARFU member Unions. As a full ARFU member and active Union, UAE Rugby’s National XV’s men’s team will compete in the tournament’s Division II against Malaysia, Thailand and Chinese Taipei in Kuala Lumpur next month.
To be played in a round-robin format over 3 days, the UAE’s campaign will commence on Sunday May 10th, with the second game played on Wednesday May 13th and conclude with their final game on Saturday May 16th.
٩:٣٨ الآن: جانب من تمرين منتخب الامارات للرجبي استعداداً لبطولة آسيا 9:38 Live: UAE Rugby team training pic.twitter.com/o0TPB5jKmf
— UAE RUGBY FEDERATION (@uaerugby) April 24, 2015
Full UAE National XV’s 32-man training squad:
Adam Telford, Andrew Carphin, Brian Rushe, Charles Sargent, Chris Jones Griffiths, Clint Berkenshaw, Cyrus Homayoun*, Daniel Minks. Ed Lewsey, Graham Murphy, Hareb Al Azri*, Hassan Al Noobi*, James Parker, Jason Murphy, Jaen Botes, Joe Cooper, Johnny Greenwood, Jono Bester, Justin Walsh, Khalid Al Blooshi*, Mark Weissenborn, Matt Hutchings, Mikey Botha, Mohamed Hassan*, Mohannad Shaker*, Niall Statham, Paul Hart, Phil Brady, Ryno Fourie, Saeed Ibrahim*, Tyson Byrne, Waleed Salem*
* denotes Emirati players
