Arabian Gulf aim for top five slot

Dubai: Arabian Gulf kick start their 2009 HSBC Asian Five Nations Rugby Series from Division 1 looking to reinstate themselves among the top five nations on the continent.

The Gulf side were relegated to Division 1 after finishing fifth in last year's event. Singapore in turn were promoted to the top 5, which also consists of champions Japan, runners-up Korea and Hong Kong and Kazakhstan, who are ranked third and fourth respectively. On the other hand, Arabian Gulf will now have to compete in a pool comprising Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Division 1 will be played at The Sevens, the venue of this week's Rugby World Cup Sevens, from April 8 to 11, and Arabian Gulf start their campaign against Thailand (kick-off 5.30pm). Chinese Taipei meet Sri Lanka in the other match (3pm).

Following on from the successful first year of the tournament, A5N 2009 features an expanded competition structure with the elite Top 5 competition supported by three divisional tournaments and three regional tournaments. The Top 5 will again be played on the last weekend of April and first four weekends in May, Asia's newly established international test window.

The Division II competition features China, Malaysia, India and Pakistan playing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.