For the first time in UAE rugby, Dubai’s leading clubs will start a new season by glancing enviously down the coast and wondering how to go about breaking Abu Dhabi’s trophy duopoly.
Rugby’s power base has shifted. Thursday night’s Capital Cup tie will pit the UAE Premiership and Dubai Sevens holders, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, against the cross-border champions Saracens at Zayed Sports City. Never before have two sides from the capital hoarded all the major titles between them.
The plush playing fields just outside the national stadium are a fitting venue for such a tussle, but it might not always be so. Details