Abu Dhabi's new-look rugby team will face their toughest challenge in the new season when they host Doha Rugby Club this Friday at the Al Gazzal Golf Club.
Up to eight players, who were not on the Bats player roster last season, are likely to see action in this weekend's fixture, their third and coming after two convincing wins.
Along with the influx of new players, the Bats will be looking at all the support they can muster when they take on last season's league runners-up.
Hot on the heels of a convincing win over Muscat, the Qatar side will hope for a repeat of their last clash with Abu Dhabi when the Bats were soundly beaten by a more aggressive, determined Doha.
In-form flanker Tim Nunan will be a key figure for Doha, the former Roslyn Park professional is fresh back from Rugby 7's duty with Arabian Gulf team in Sri Lanka.
Abu Dhabi will field possibly their strongest side since their league championship season of 2001, with Gulf stalwarts David Clarke, Jon Ombler and the return of New Zealander Wayne Marsters combining for the first time this season.
Second row forward Turlough O'Brien should continue supplying excellent first phase ball for the exciting backs headed by scrumhalf Duard Hoffman.
Gulf second row forward, Jason Clark, who has been recovering from a back injury, is set to return to the side, while Jo Czerpak, recovering well from a groin injury, hopes to return to training on October 10.
Abu Dhabi squad (from): Richard Harris (c), Aubrey Roberts, Emmanuel Barry, Simon Powell, Turlough O'Brien, Johnny Ombler, Wayne Marsters, David Clark, Duard Hoffman, Zane West, Peter Cape, Stephan Spohr, Petrie Aucamp, J-F Barthe, Ross Miller, Steve Armstrong, William Kennedy, Elliot Benham, Marcus Thorpe, Darren Mortimer, Quewan Frame and Mark Simon.
