13 new caps in UAE rugby side to face Belgium

UAE Rugby have included 13 new caps in the 23-man squad that will compete against Belgium in the opening round of 2012 Emirates Airline Cup of Nations (EACON) XVs Tournament.

The newest full member of the IRB (International Rugby Board)  will face a baptism of fire against an unknown Belgium side at The Sevens on Saturday December 8.

However, UAE National Coach and Performance Manager, Duncan Hall remains upbeat about the opportunities that his charges will face and experience they will gain against the 23rd IRB ranked side. Kick-off is at 4pm.

“We have a number of players who have recently become eligible to represent the UAE (under IRB eligibility rules) as well as a number who are still recovering from injury so we find ourselves in a situation where we have 13 new caps in this weekend’s opening game,” said Hall.

“The line-up has the experience of some old heads, which gives invaluable knowledge closer in the game, combined with the energy of younger players,” added the former Wallaby forward. “We have set ourselves a number of goals in this opening game and achieving these is our overall priority.”

UAE Rugby Federations’s deputy general secretary, Qais Aldhalai commented: “EACON is a very important part of our XV’s programme and last year was central in creating the foundation for our A5N campaign. We look forward to a good tournament.”

UAE squad (* denotes new cap):
1. Christopher Jones-Griffiths
2. Peter Sampson
3. Graham Murphy
4. Tristan Barnett
5. Anthony Murphy *
6. William Drinkwater *
7. Guy Potter *
8. Renier Els (captain)
9. Jono Bester
10. James Ham *
11. Hassan Al Noobi
12. Josh Dransfield *
13. Hareb Al Qzri *
14. Mohammed Abbas *
15. Ross Coombe *
16. Jonathan Greenwood
17. Brett Bowie *
18. Kristian Stinson *
19. Riaan Boshoff *
20. Ali Ghulam
21. Philip Stevens *
22. Gareth Armstrong
23. Chris Burch *

Coach: Duncan Hall 
Team Manager: Brett Scott
Physiotherapist: Simon Case

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