Four rugby teams heading to Dubai 7s

AMMAN — Jordan is taking four teams to compete at one of the world’s biggest rugby festivals — the Emirates Airline Dubai 7s — next week, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Nomads, Citadel and the newly established Al Ahli Club are all participating in the event’s Gulf Men’s Open Division. The Amman Saracens will take part in the Vets Division with a strong squad including older players who qualify from across the Jordan Rugby League.

Last year, Nomads finished in the top four in the Gulf Men’s Open and are looking to make another big impact on this year’s tournament. Citadel go into the tournament in good form having won both rounds to date in the Kingdom’s 7s series and contain a winner from last year’s tournament among their ranks.

Meanwhile Al Ahli Club are sending a squad into their first ever international tournament. The Saracens will see a mix of Jordanian players join the expatriates to enhance the ranks and make them more competitive in what is usually a very impressive standard in the Vets. Zu’bi Al Zu’bi, secretary general of Jordan Rugby, said: “Having four teams participating in this big event is a great step for Jordan.

We have worked hard on developing the game over the last two years, and we are not only sending teams to make up the numbers, we expect them to be competitive.” The Emirates Airline Dubai 7s is played from November 30 to December 2.