Cooper's return to boost Arabian Gulf squad

Dubai: A delay in announcing the final make-up of the AGRFU Men's Team to compete in this weekend's Dubai Sevens was worth the wait with head coach Mike Lunjevich being able to name a near full strength squad to contest the opening leg of the IRB World Sevens circuit.

Players and supporters would be particularly pleased with the news that captain Stephen Cooper was able to take his place in the team after passing an 11th hour fitness test. The Dubai Exiles fly half had been battling to recover from an ankle injury sustained in the team's recent warm-up tour to Singapore and his inclusion is a huge boost for the regional rugby representative team's confidence.

Cooper had previously been in great form in club play and his probing runs and tactical savvy will be welcomed in the Gulf outfit as they take on France, Scotland and last seasons world champs New Zealand in pool play beginning tomorrow.

Arabian Gulf Squad

Steve Cooper (captain, Dubai Exiles), Dushan Raveendrakumar (Dubai Dragons), Sean Hurley (Dubai Dragons), Paul Austin (Dubai Dragons), Stuart Gibb (Dubai Dragons), Corey Oliver (Dubai Dragons), Frankie Coetzer (Dubai Exiles), Adrian Kerr (Dubai Dragons), Chris Gregory (Dubai Hurricanes), Ayman Razek (Muscat RFC), Arron Brown (Dubai Hurricanes), Wayne Esslemont (Dubai Exiles).