Dubai College's challenge is to better Wales' Rugby World Cup run

Under the guidance of Andy Jones, also a Welshman, the team aim to win the schools tournament at the Dubai Rugby Sevens.

Powered by automated translation

DUBAI // Wales set last month's Rugby World Cup alive with a thrilling run to the semi-final thanks, in part, to their pre-tournament training camp in Poland.

Dubai College are hoping their decision to follow that route, under the guidance of Andy Jones, their Welsh head of sport, will bring them even greater success in this weekend's Dubai Rugby Sevens where the school teams get the chance to play alongside the biggest names in the shortened form of the game.

But they want to go one better than the Welsh side's last-four appearance in New Zealand. That is the stage they failed at last year when they were beaten by the English College and redemption is on their minds. "We have prepared much better this year and hopefully can go one better," Sam Bullock, the scrum-half, said.

"I want us to get on to the main pitch this year and play in front of everyone in the final. That would be amazing. This is our best chance this year because we have a great team."

Dubai College have left nothing to chance in their quest to become champions. "We had a training camp in October, during the Eid holidays, which was really hard, really tiring," James Bywater, another survivor from last year, said.

"We did really intensive circuits all geared towards the Sevens. It took a lot out of us, but we are hoping it is worth it."

Abu Dhabi's British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) will be back to defend their title as schools from all over the GCC head to Dubai to participate in the event.

Jones, the teacher who doubles up as the coach, believes his Under 18 side, who are in great form and won the recent BSAK rugby tournament, have the ability to make it to the final.

"We blew it in the semi-final last year and actually haven't won it for a while, so we are utterly desperate to put that right," Jones said. "For the older boys, this is their last chance to take part in this event."

Follow us