Dubai: Three Emirati players have been named in the Arabian Gulf Under-16 rugby squad for a series of matches against Hong Kong in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The tour kicks off with a Gulf schools' XV taking on the tourists in Bahrain today ahead of a full test at the same venue 48 hours later.
A second match involving a Gulf schools' side and Hong Kong will then take place at Al Ghazal Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, on April 12 before a second test at Dubai Exiles on April 14.
The Gulf squad features UAE nationals Mohammad Al Dhaheri, Salim Lallas and Shehmir Shaikh alongside players originally from rugby heartlands such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Head coach Matt Kearns said: "We've come a very long way from the trials and I think we now have a strong side with some high-quality players emerging for the Gulf."
Match schedule:
April 8 Gulf Schools' XV v Hong Kong, Bahrain; April 10 Arabian Gulf v Hong Kong, Bahrain; April 12 Gulf Schools' XV v Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi
April 14 Arabian Gulf v Hong Kong, Dubai Exiles.
