The UAE domestic rugby season begins on Thursday night. Below, Paul Radley offers a team-by-team guide to the UAE Premiership. Fixtures are periodically updated here.
Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Last season: champions
Coach: Mike McFarlane
Verdict: Clearly serious about retaining their title and bettering their city rivals Saracens, given they undertook a tour to Sri Lanka to play a pre-season friendly. New coach Mike McFarlane has plenty of ambition for his team, but he may find the season an exhausting one, given his first child is due on Friday.
Player to watch: Luke Stevenson – Arguably the competition’s most reliable kicker when he was in Abu Dhabi on a year’s work placement in 2012-13. He is back after a season’s gap.
Home ground: Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi
http://www.zsc.ae/en/6/contact-us/
More information: www.abudhabiquins.com
Twitter: @Abudhabiquins
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Abu Dhabi Saracens
Last season: 3rd
Coaches: Steve Hamilton and Craig Nutt
Verdict: Maintained the bulk of the side who stunned the field by claiming the cross-border title last season. There are some conspicuous absentees, though. Ali Thompson, who has a fine coaching record in the UAE, stepped down. Elliot Reeder, the big-kicking fly-half, returned to the UK.
Player to watch: Giovano Fourie – Saracens’ unexpected success last season was built on an imposing forward pack. Hooker Fourie has the guile to complement their brawn, too.
Home ground: Al Ghazal Golf Club, Abu Dhabi
http://www.alghazalgolf.ae/abudhabi.htm
More information: www.abudhabisaracens.com
Twitter: @ADSaracens
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Al Ain Amblers
Last season: promoted
Coach: Andrew Rouvi
Verdict: Far too good for the level of competition they played at last season, as they swept to the UAE Conference title without breaking sweat. They might be cautious on their return to the top flight, though. Last time the Garden City club played at this level, it was problematic and short lived.
Player to watch: Jerry Kilicanasau – A flying Fijian back who followed his father - Jerry Sr - into the Amblers side last season, and also represented UAE at Under 20 level.
Home ground: Palm Sports Resort, Al Ain
http://www.alainrugby.com/directions/
More information: www.alainrugby.com
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Dubai Exiles
Last season: 5th
Coach: Jacques Benade
Verdict: Three seasons after being instilled to change the atmosphere surrounding a club that had lost its way, popular coach Jan Venter handed over first team affairs to new director of rugby Benade this summer. The on-field goals remain the same, starting by finishing back among the big clubs. A trophy would be nice, too.
Player to watch: DuRandt Gerber – The new fly-half for the Exiles played professionally in Italy, and was part of their extended squad for the 2011 World Cup
Home ground: The Sevens, Dubai
http://www.thesevens.ae/location/
More information: www.dubaiexiles.com
Twitter: @DubaiExiles
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Dubai Hurricanes
Last season: runners up
Coach: James Ham
Verdict: With Ross Mills departing the UAE, a sixth change of coach in the space of five seasons sees James Ham return to a role he had success in as interim in 2012. The Hurricanes have become a massive club. There was barely a parking space to be had on Friday, for the club’s annual memorial match day. Now they need a return to success at first XV level to go with it.
Player to watch: Greg Thompson - It would be a sizable boost for the UAE team if the second-rower/loose-forward became available again, having not played for the national team since 2012.
Home ground: The Sevens, Dubai
http://www.thesevens.ae/location/
More information: www.dubaihurricanes.com
Twitter: @caneseffect
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Jebel Ali Dragons
Last season: 4th
Coach: Bruce Pendrey
Verdict: Fell back to the ranks of also-rans last season after two years of unprecedented success. A number of key faces from their consecutive treble-winning campaigns have re-emerged from injuries and other lay-offs. Xander van der Westhuizen is a notable recruit from Exiles.
Player to watch: Adam Telford - The UAE captain missed the whole domestic campaign last season after tearing a bicep. The No 8 is keen to make up for lost time.
Home ground: Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence (Also See: Jebel Ali Golf Resort)
http://www.jaresortshotels.com/Properties/CentreOfExcellence/AboutUs/Location/MapDirections.aspx
More information: www.jebelalidragonsrfc.com
Twitter: @JebelAliDragons
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