Arabian Gulf rugby squad to face Clontarf

Pete Stapley of Dubai Exiles will captain an Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union Select XV against Clontarf in Bahrain on November 17.
None of the 10 players named in the Gulf squad for the Dubai 7s this month were considered for selection, even though they are in Bahrain for a training weekend.

But that means the game against the Irish tourists provides an important opportunity for many men to make a big impression for further honours later in the season.
Coach Darryl Weir said yesterday, "We have an important international coming up in January against Hong Kong so the Clontarf game gives a lot of players the chance to show what they can do.

Gulf squad: Christophe Baumann (Dubai Exiles); Shane Tomkin (Saudi), A.N. Other, Stephen Hutchinson (Abu Dhabi), Craig Wear (Bahrain); Jimmy Larsen (Dubai Exiles), Sam Knight (Bahrain); Jonathan Davidson (Dubai Exiles), James Hare (Dubai Exiles), Nigel Evans (Bahrain), Maurice Thompson (Dubai Exiles), Chris Pardon (Bahrain), David Matheson (Dubai Dragons), Pete Stapley (Dubai Exiles, captain), Neil Bayliff Kuwait). Replacements: Ian Baker (Muscat), Sean McShae (Kuwait).