UAE Rugby announces 25-man ARC squad

Sport360 staff 19:34 30/04/2015
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  • National duty: Saracens captain Jaen Botes is called up after a Top-6 winning season.

    UAE Rugby has announced the National XV’s men’s 25-man squad that will compete in the 2015 Asian Rugby Football Union’s (ARFU) new tournament, the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC).

    Participating in the ARC’s Division II, the UAE travels to Kuala Lumpur on Friday May 8th and will face Malaysia, Thailand and Chinese Taipei in a round-robin format. Their 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.

    UAE XV’s Captain, Adam Telford, said “This squad is a very strong squad with a good balance of the best Emirati and Expat players who are eligible to represent the UAE.  We’ve been training since February (for this tournament) and it has been a tough decision for both Roelof and Apollo to pick a final 25, there is now depth and there was serious competition to secure selection.”  “Personally, I am looking forward to pulling on the national shirt with all the guys, especially Andrew Carphin as we have been playing together since we were 8 years old and have played on the same school, university and club teams over the last 25 years. Although Irish born, the UAE is now our home and it’s a massive honour to be representing our adopted country on the international stage.”

    When asked about UAE’s competitors, Telford commented “In terms of the upcoming ARC games, this is a pivotal year for the UAE and our aim is a return to Division 1 which then gives us the opportunity to push for the top tier in 2016.”  “Thailand, Malaysia and Chinese Taipei are somewhat unknown to us (in XV’s) and if we play as a team, to our full potential, I am confident we will top Division II.” he added.

    The UAE National XV’s 25-man ARC squad
     

    Name                                      UAE based club                      Caps

    Adam Telford (C)                          Jebel Ali Dragons                 1

    Andrew Carphin                            Jebel Ali Dragons                  *

    Chris Jones-Griffiths                      Abu Dhabi Harlequins           19

    Clint Berkenshaw                          Dubai Exiles                         *

    Daniel Minks                                Jebel Ali Dragons                  1         

    Edward Lewsey                            Abu Dhabi Harlequins            *

    Graham Murphy                            Abu Dhabi Harlequins           15

    Hareb Al Azri                               Al Ain Amblers                      2

    Hassan Al Noobi                           Arabian Knights                     3

    Jaen Botes                                  Abu Dhabi Saracens                *

    Jonathan Greenwood                    Dubai Hurricanes                   9

    Jonathan Bester                           Xodus Wasps                        10

    Justin Walsh                                Dubai Exiles                          *

    Mark Weissenborn                        Dubai Hurricanes                   3

    Matthew Hutchings                      Abu Dhabi Saracens                *

    Michael Botha                             Jebel Ali Dragons                    *

    Mohammed Hassan                      Arabian Knights                      *

    Mohamad Al Alawi                                                                  1

    Mohannad Shaker                                                                   2

    Niall Statham                             Jebel Ali Dragons                    *

    Paul Hart                                   Jebel Ali Dragons                    *

    Phil Brady                                 Abu Dhabi Harlequins                *

    Ryno Fourie                              Jebel Ali Dragons                      *

    Tyson  Byrne                             Arabian Knights                        *

    Walid Al Balooshi                                                                     *

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