Abu Dhabi Harlequins under-14s out to showcase UAE rugby's strength

Matt Jones - Editor 18:27 28/03/2016
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  • David Kerr, of Etihad Airways, presents Abu Dhabi Harlequins players with their new kit.

    Abu Dhabi Harlequins Under-14s are on a mission to prove how high the standard of rugby is in the UAE as they began a testing tour of Ireland this week.

    Quins started their tour to the Emerald Isle on Friday, where they will be taking on top-level opposition in the two of the country’s traditionally strongest rugby provinces in Leinster and Connaught.

    The visit includes matches against Connaught league leaders Monivea and Suttonians, a Dublin club that was founded in 1899.

    Team captain Milo Bly says he and his team-mates are determined to put on a good show to provide an apt representation of rugby in the Emirates.

    “Our aim is to do Abu Dhabi Harlequins club proud during this tour,” said Bly.

    “We want to show that youth rugby in the UAE is just as good, and hopefully even better, than it is in traditional rugby playing countries, such as Ireland.”

    Bly says he and his team-mates are looking forward to playing their attacking and flowing brand of attacking rugby, although he believes his team will have to adapt their usual style too as they try to get to grips with the colder Irish weather.

    “We’ll have to adapt our game to the different weather conditions – I think the opposing teams will do a lot of kicking, while here we really focus on our handling game,” he added.

    Sponsored by Etihad Cargo and power engineering firm ABB Group, Quins will pack in a busy playing schedule to their week-long trip, playing five matches over seven days.

    The touring party contains the core of a team who are the reigning UAERA League champions, and U-14 age group winners of this season’s Etihad Abu Dhabi Junior Rugby Tournament.

    “The players are very excited about representing the Abu Dhabi rugby community while we’re in Ireland, especially in provinces where there are is a very strong rugby heritage,” said team coach John Walsh, who has organised the tour to his home country.

    “Our main objective is to play attractive, attacking rugby, and to really enjoy ourselves, on and off the pitch. The boys have worked very hard as a group to prepare for this tour and we are looking forward to putting our plans into action.”

    This group of players has a long history of touring at this time of year, which traditionally marks the end of the rugby season in the UAE. Previous tours have included Sri Lanka in 2014 and England in 2015, where the team won four of their five games.

    David Kerr, vice president of Etihad Cargo, said: “We’re pleased to be continuing our support of the Abu Dhabi Harlequins as they begin their tour of Ireland.

    “Sports development here in the UAE is an important priority for our business and we support the promotion of local culture in the UAE and worldwide, sponsoring sporting events that are consistent with our own values of team spirit.”

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