Eben Rollitt will finally follow in his father's footsteps and become an international rugby player when the Arabian Gulf face China in a 2007 World Cup qualifier at the Dubai Exiles tomorrow.
Dave Rollitt was one of the outstanding No 8s of his generation, winning 11 England caps between 1967 and 1975, and for a while it appeared likely that Eben too would wear the red rose, only for untimely injuries to intervene.
Yet now, after more than three years living in Dubai and playing for the Exiles, the former Bristol and Wasps back row forward qualifies for the Gulf and admits to being "very excited" about tomorrow's match. The 32-year-old said: "It was always a big ambition of mine to follow Dad and play for England, and it seemed as if I was getting close on several occasions.
"I've been determined to stay fit this week, particularly with the injuries the (Gulf) squad has been suffering."
Despite missing out on an England cap, Rollitt has enjoyed a hugely successful career. He appeared in the Cambridge side which won the 1994 Varsity March in front of a full house of 55,000 at Twickenham and was a regular in the Wasps back row alongside Lawrence Dallaglio and Joe Worsley. There's now the new challenge of slotting into the Gulf side which will secure matches against Japan and Korea in the next round of qualification should they defeat China tomorrow.
England World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson will be a special guest of honour at tomorrow's game.
The three-time British Lion will be coaching Dubai Exiles youngsters from 2-3pm ahead of warm-up games between Exiles under-16s/19s and Abu Dhabi at 3.10pm, and a clash between Exiles Ladies and an Emirates Select side at 4.15pm.
