Dubai: Skipper Will Wood has been forced to pull out of the Arabian Gulf Under-19 squad for next week's Asian Championships in Pakistan after breaking his wrist.
The promising back row forward from the Dubai Dragons was injured making a tackle in the Dubai Sevens and also suffered a concussion, leading to his heart-breaking withdrawal.
Coach Steve Holohan said: "It's a major blow because Will is a huge player for us and our leading candidate for the captaincy. We have not yet decided who will lead the team in his absence." The 25-man squad is notable for the inclusion of Emarati prop Saeed Al Jabari who heads a strong contingent from the Abu Dhabi club.
Cup qualifier
In total, 11 teams are taking part in the tournament which is a qualifier for next year's age group World Cup due to take place in Dubai from April 4-21.
Arabian Gulf squad: Andy Steadman (English College), Arron Delgarno (Bahrain), Chris Taylor (Abu Dhabi), Richard Hayes (Doha), Saeed Al-Jabari (Abu Dhabi), Martin Verheij (Dubai College), Sean Smith (Dubai Exiles), Jon Clark-Sutton (English College/Dubai Hurricanes), Ruan Moller (Doha), Mike Lancaster (English College/Dubai Exiles), Nick Taylor (Bahrain), Jeremy Gaylor (Dubai College), Edward Evans (Abu Dhabi), Jeremy Cope (Dubai Exiles/English College), Kyle Bennie (Dubai Exiles), Robin Quickfall (Abu Dhabi), Eddie Garbutt (Abu Dhabi), Ewan Simpson (Jumeirah English Speaking School), Jonathon Bending (Abu Dhabi), Giovanni Dammani (Bahrain), Tom Driver (Dubai Exiles/English College), Devin Berrett (Duba Exiles/Emirates International School), Jaco Pretorious (Abu Dhabi), Luke Garbutt (Abu Dhabi), Sean Gould (Dubai College).
