Sharjah Wanderers will kick off the new Arabian Gulf League campaign with a home clash against Abu Dhabi at 8pm today.
Callum Stevens captains the side from centre with Alex Spence, from the Fujairah Bulls, lining up at fly-half as the Wanderers bid to improve on last season's disappointing last place finish on their return to the competition after a break of several seasons.
Graham Berenger, a back row recruit from Lanka Lions who has made a big first impression, is another new face in a side bidding to build on a recent 29-5 friendly victory over Al Ain.
The Bats, meanwhile, will be without new skipper David Clark because of work commitments.
Vice-captain Jo Czerpak takes the reins at fly-half as a squad featuring four new players heads down Shaikh Zayed Road.
Former Dragon Pete Richardson, winger Matt Holzl and centre Matt Stafford start the game with Matt Wright on the bench.
The Dubai Exiles are in home action at 6.30pm tomorrow against Doha with new skipper Ed Nicholas calling the shots.
There's a first start in the second row for Mike Coxhill while Ed Chambers, more at home on the wing or at full-back, fills in at fly-half because of the absence of Steve Cooper and Tim Knox who are both not available.
A curtain-raiser between Exiles IIs and Dubai Hurricanes IIs will kick off at 4.30pm. The final match of the weekend will see Bahrain entertain Muscat at 4pm tomorrow.
Champions Dubai Dragons, without a game as Kuwait Nomads have travel problems, are staging a club trial instead at the Exiles at 4.30pm today.
The points system for Gulf League games has been amended for the new season.
A home win is worth four points, up from three, while the season will climax with two play-off games to decide the destination of the championship.
Fixtures
Today: (8pm) Sharjah Wanderers v Abu Dhabi at Sharjah Wanderers Sports Club.
Friday: (6.30pm) Dubai Exiles v Doha at Dubai Exiles Rugby Club. (4pm) Bahrain v Muscat at Bahrain RFC.
