Some would see a lone fixture prior to the Christmas holidays as a hindrance, but several Dubai Eagles players have rearranged flights due to the excitement surrounding the first proper away fixture since forming as a club.
Eagles will hope to soar when they head west for a clash with Louie Tonkin’s high-flying Bahrain on Friday, who are second in the West Asia Premiership after four games, only on points difference behind Jebel Ali Dragons.
Of Eagles’ four games this season, three have been at their Dubai Sports City home, with their sole away fixture a sound 68-0 beating at Dragons.
They are now venturing a little further as the WAP returns, haphazardly, for just one game following the rugby season’s brief hiatus for the Dubai Sevens – although there will then be another month gap before the season resumes in mid-January.
Away games, especially involving flights, can leave teams depleted in the Gulf, especially in the run-up to Christmas, but Eagles captain Conor Coakley insists the club is excited about heading to Bahrain.
“We’re actually looking alright for numbers, only a few have gone home for the holidays at this stage. Some boys have actually rearranged their flights around the game, which is great,” said the Irishman.
“It’s a good day out for an away game at Bahrain, a fantastic club, great crowd, and it’s a first real away day with the Eagles, so everyone is putting their hand up. We’ve trained well since the Sevens, we’re regrouped and focused on this week, and we’re all up for it.”
Dragons’ scrum-half Ross Samson
Tonkin’s side haven’t played a game of 15s rugby in well over a month, while their last home game in the WAP was as long ago as September 29 – the 15-15 draw with Abu Dhabi Harlequins. And he hopes his side can sign off for the year in style.
“It’s been ages since we played a game of 15s, while it’s our first home Premiership game in over two months, so it’s been a huge lay-off and we’re excited,” said the Welshman.
“All the players had the fixture list in September so they all booked their flights around this game so we’re OK regarding holidays. We still have a few injuries with Greg Heath, Luke Radley and Rich Muncaster all unavailable.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming Eagles to Bahrain and hopefully we’ll have a big crowd to give us a good send-off for 2017.”
Elsewhere, the Abu Dhabi derby sees Saracens hosting Harlequins back at their spiritual home of Al Ghazal, after a deal was struck by a Korean company who previously ran the golf club’s restaurant to take over the lease.
It means Sarries are back home after being evicted in the summer. Despite the good news, there is a touch of sadness to it, with chairman Jay Danielson relinquishing his role as he is heading back to his native Australia today after a decade in the desert.
“We’re back there tomorrow, but I’ll miss the game as I’m flying home,” said the Melbourne native.
“But the club has come to an agreement with the new company so that’s fantastic.
“It’s been very much playing on our minds not having a home this season. It’s been a fortress for us in previous years, but it’ll be a funny homecoming as we have a lot of new players, who’ve not actually played at our spiritual home.”
Jay Danielson (c) is heading home after a decade in the UAE
It’s been a rough start to the season on the pitch for Sarries, bottom of the table following four defeats, while the suffered an 81-0 hiding in the UAE Premiership Cup quarter-finals at the hands of Dubai Hurricanes last week.
Despite this, Quins coach Mike McFarlane knows his side face opponents that always raise their game for the capital city derby.
“It’s always a fierce game and a nice touch we are back at Al Ghazal where the Sarries were so successful, so it has all the ingredients for a great derby clash for the ‘Capital Cup’,” said McFarlane.
“It’s good to get back to 15s albeit a one-off game as such before the Christmas break. We are missing numerous players but it gives players a great opportunity to step up in a high profile derby clash.”
Canes host Dragons in a Dubai derby at The Sevens. And skipper Ross Samson says Dragons have a full squad looking to cement their grip on top spot going into the festive break.
“We’re not struggling for numbers, everyone’s roaring and we want to keep the momentum up,” said the scrum-half.
“If we can get a win here it’s all to play for after Christmas and we’re in a nice position.
“We’ve got a full squad. We know they have a decent squad, had a good run at the Sevens and are confident so we’re not taking it lightly. It’s a local derby too. We’re looking forward to it and we know we have to be at our best.”
Canes are fresh from an 81-0 mauling of Sarries in the UAE Premiership Cup last week, and even though head coach Mike Wernham’s side will be buoyed by that, he says it’s a difficult time of year.
“With schools breaking up it’s a difficult time of year to be at full strength, although we still have a strong team out,” he said.
“The Sarries game gave us a chance to try other players and units out, which worked really well. The 81 points was pleasing but the 0 even more so.
“Our defence has been pleasing and it’s going to be under more pressure as we face arguably the strongest side, sitting at the top of the league, so we’re under no illusions we’re in for a tough night.”
