Articles from the author

At first glance, the sport of rugby union in the United Arab Emirates would appear to be in fine health.

Organisers of the Dubai International School Boy Rugby Festival are pressing ahead with plans to change the format of the event to a tournament.

Dubai Hurricanes' hopes of improving on last season's best-ever third-place finish in the Arabian Gulf League will receive an immediate test when they take on Dubai Exiles tonight at 7.30pm.

Exiles' hopes of a first Arabian Gulf League title in three years have been significantly boosted by the appointment of Mark Butterfield as coach.

Viv Anderson and Tony Woodcock are as well placed as anybody to offer a definitive verdict on the state of soccer today and their views do not make for easy reading.