Emirates Airline has reaffirmed its commitment to rugby in the region.

"We know we have a role to play," stated Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group at a press conference along with England's World Cup winning stars, Lawrence Dallaglio, Jason Leonard and Will Greenwood at Emirates Towers Hotel yesterday.

"The Dubai 7s has grown over the years and we have been involved closely. I am sure we will have a bigger role to play as Dubai enhances its sports profile," Sheikh Ahmed said.

"We are sure rugby is very much part of the plans with the development of the Dubailand project. There are going to be grounds and the profile of the game will be much better," he added.

Gary Chapman, president, DNATA and Associated Companies, reiterated support to help raise the profile of rugby, not only in the UAE, but in the Gulf region as well.

"We support the Sevens and all the work that is being done by the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union (AGRFU)," said Chapman.

"Of course, there are issues like training of nationals and taking the game to the schools and getting into the fabric that still need to be addressed. We feel we have a part to play here," he added.

Nearly 200 students from six schools in Dubai converged at the Dubai Exiles rugby ground for some first-hand training from Dallaglio, Leonard and Greenwood. "These kids are going to remember this day," Darryl Weir of the AGRFU said.

And benefitting were students from the Jumeirah English Speaking School, Dubai English Speaking Scholl, Jumeirah Private School, English College, Jumeirah College and Dubai College. "It's a great incentive for them," added Dave Skidmore, the AGRFU chairman.