RUGBY – BAHRAIN’S First XV rugby team play their maiden home match of the 2025-26 West Asia Premiership tonight against the Dubai Dragons First XV.
The contest is set to be held at Bahrain Rugby Football Club (BRFC) in Saar, and it is scheduled for a 6pm kick-off.
BRFC announced yesterday the squad list for this evening’s affair. The roster includes David-Ofori Manteaw, Mackenzie Oliver, Andries de Kock, Tian Jacobs, Awethu Lushozi, Charlie Farmer, Kelvin Kanenungo, Rory Drummond, Kenta Kutsuna, Cormac Fox, Gregor Smith, James Newey, David Evans, Joel Kidgell, Jack Hocking, Aled Morris, Cameron Thomson, Nick Young, Sesona Macala, Lindsey Gibson, Romeo Eksteen, Josh Petro, and Joseph Rizzardi.
Adam Wallace is the BRFC’s rugby director, Gibson is the forwards coach, Jack Parry is the scrum and defence coach, Ross Preedy the backs coach, and Greg Heath the strength and conditioning coach.
The kingdom’s top side head into today’s clash with an unbeaten record so far in their first two games of this campaign. They first outclassed the Dubai Exiles First XV and then defeated the Dubai Sharks First XV last weekend – both played away in the UAE.
Bahrain’s First XV were runners-up in last season’s West Asia Premiership. They were narrowly beaten in the 2024-25 title-decider by reigning champions the Dubai Hurricanes First XV.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Second XV rugby team are also in action today at BRFC as they kick off their title bid in the 2025-26 UAE Division One.
The Bahraini outfit take on UAE Shaheen First XV at 3pm, right before the First XV hit the pitch.
The Second XV squad includes Young, Wallace, Gibson, Heath, Rizzardi, Matthew McKee, Martin Prinsloo, Saul Piper, Luan Steyn, Oli Sanson, Cooper Comrie, Deina Morete, Chris Kropp, Dan Dryden, Joel Lewis, Deon Puren, Terry Jones, Mutayam Matrook, Jayden Summers, Jaun Coetsee, James Wheeler, and Stewart Heunis. Gibson is the playing coach while Parry is the team’s other coach.
Bahrain’s Second XV and the UAE Shaheen First XV are amongst a 10-team field in this year’s UAE Division One. The other sides are the Al Ain Amblers First XV, the Dubai Dragons Second XV, the Dubai Exiles Second XV, the Dubai Hurricanes Second XV, the Dubai Sharks Second XV, the Tuskers First XV, the Abu Dhabi Harlequins Second XV, and defending champions the Dubai Tigers First XV.
Bahrain’s Second XV were the UAE Division One runners-up from last season, having lost to the Tigers in the final 19-28. Both of today’s matches are to be streamed live on BRFC’s YouTube channel.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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