Abu Dhabi Harlequins is a rugby union and rugby league team based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. They currently play in the UAE Premiership.[1] The team was founded as the Abu Dhabi RUFC in 1970.

Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Full nameAbu Dhabi Harlequins
Founded1970; 54 years ago (1970)
LocationUnited Arab Emirates
Ground(s)Zayed Sports Stadium
ChairmanAndy Cole
League(s)UAE Premiership
Official website
www.abudhabiquins.com

The 'Quins' were crowned UAE Premiership Champions of the 2022 rugby season, having had an entire 2020/21 season without any rugby at all due to covid restrictions.

They beat the Dubai Exiles 28-34 in the UAE Premiership Final.

2012-13 Squad

edit

in bold = players internationals
Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Sean Crombie Hooker   Scotland
Charles Lilley Hooker   United Arab Emirates
Chris Jones-Griffiths Prop   United Arab Emirates
Graham Murphy Prop   United Arab Emirates
Paul Hart Lock   England
Mike McFarlane Lock   United States
Phil Brady Lock   Scotland
Ben Bolger Flanker   England
Sam Cook Flanker   United Arab Emirates
Billy Graham (c) Flanker   England
Renier Els Number 8   United Arab Emirates
Player Position Union
Ed Lewsey Scrum-half   Wales
Patrick Hegarty Scrum-half   United Arab Emirates
Jeremy Manning Fly-half   Ireland
Murray Strang Fly-half   United Arab Emirates
Jonathon O'Connor Centre   United Arab Emirates
Rama Chand Centre   United Arab Emirates
Clendon Pene Centre   New Zealand
Joel Pikari Wing   United Arab Emirates
Imad Reyal Wing   United Arab Emirates
Matt Hutchins Fullback   England

Notable players

edit

Rugby League

edit

The Harlequins switched to rugby league in 2013, taking part in the inaugural Emirates Rugby League Cup competition.[2] They were the inaugural Emirates Rugby League champions, beating Mana Dubai in the final of the competition.[3]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "UAE Mens Premiership Rugby Championship". Yalla Rugby. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  2. ^ "Abu Dhabi Harlequins - News".
  3. ^ "Rugby League Cup final: Harlequins break their finals jinx in style". 31 May 2013.