RUGBY – BAHRAIN’S senior men’s rugby teams are set for an action-packed schedule for the 2025-26 season, battling it out in two of the region’s biggest competitions.
The kingdom’s First XV will be gunning for the title in the highly competitive West Asia Premiership, where they are one of seven leading teams from across the Gulf in the fray.
Bahrain’s Second XV, meanwhile, will be taking to the pitch in UAE Division One, which will feature 10 squads.
The dates of their new campaigns were announced yesterday by Bahrain Rugby Football Club (BRFC).
The 2025-26 season kicks off later this month with back-to-back weekends of pre-season matches on September 12 and 19 against the Abu Dhabi Harlequins away and then facing Alexandria RC at home, respectively.
Bahrain’s First XV then get their West Asia Premiership title bid underway on September 26 away to the Dubai Exiles. The other teams in this top-tier league are Dubai Dragons, the Dubai Sharks, the Harlequins, Doha, and defending champions the Dubai Hurricanes.
The Bahrain First XV’s preliminary round programme continues until February 27 when they face Doha at home. Then, if qualified, the semi-finals will be held on April 3 or 4, to be followed by the final on April 11.
Meanwhile, the kingdom’s Second XV begin their UAE Division One schedule on October 3 or 4 away against last year’s title winners the Dubai Tigers First XV.
The other sides in this league are the Al Ain Amblers, the Dubai Dragons Second XV, the Dubai Exiles Second XV, the Dubai Hurricanes Second XV, the Dubai Sharks Second XV, Shaheen RFC, the Tuskers, and the Abu Dhabi Harlequins Second XV.
Bahrain’s Second XV wrap up their preliminary stage on March 6 or 7 away against the Dragons Second XV.
The UAE Division One semi-finals and finals are then scheduled for the same weekends as those of the West Asia Premiership.
All matches can be watched live on BRFC’s YouTube channel.
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