Cup final replay highlight of new Series 5 opening fixtures

Dubai: The first Super 5 series is set to get underway with a repeat of last season's Cup final the highlight of the first round of fixtures.

The Arabian Gulf RFU has created the competition for the UAE and neighbouring Muscat to increase the number of top-level matches that teams play.

Reigning League Champions Dubai Hurricanes RFC take on current Gulf Cup holders NBAD Abu Dhabi Harlequins on Friday evening in a repeat of last season's Cup final.

The Hurricanes have four players in the Gulf Sevens team travelling to Singapore in two weeks and are therefore out of Friday's game.

Coach Steve Holohan also has to cope with the absence of midfield general Duncan Murray with a broken leg.

Abu Dhabi they have been quietly preparing for the clash after grabbing most of the headlines in the early part of the season.

Quins' Chairman Richard Harris said: "We are looking forward to this new challenge and the match-up against Hurricanes is a great opportunity for us to show we are not one season wonders."