RUGBY – BAHRAIN’S First XV rugby team will today be looking to maintain their pristine record so far this season in the 2025-26 West Asia Premiership.
The kingdom’s top squad will be taking on the Doha First XV away this early evening. The match is set to take place at Doha Sports Park in the Qatari capital, and it is scheduled for a 5pm kick-off, Bahrain time.
It will be the fourth game of the new campaign for the Bahrainis, who last weekend outclassed the Dubai Dragons First XV 50-15 at home. In their previous two contests to kick off the new rugby year, they defeated the Dubai Exiles First XV and also the Dubai Sharks First XV – both away in the UAE.
Bahrain Rugby Football Club (BRFC) announced yesterday the squad list for this evening’s affair. The First XV roster includes David-Ofori Manteaw, Mackenzie Oliver, Andries de Kock, Tian Jacobs, Awethu Lushozi, Charlie Farmer, Kelvin Kanenungo, Sesona Macala, Romeo Eksteen, Kenta Kutsuna, Joel Kidgell, David Evans, James Newey, Gregor Smith, Jack Hocking, Nick Young, Cameron Thomson, Matthew McKee, Lindsey Gibson, Josh Drain, Josh Petro, and Chris Kropp.
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. Today’s match is to be streamed live on BRFC’s YouTube channel.
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. This campaign, they are aiming to go one better.
There are seven squads in all in the regional league. Aside from Doha, the Dragons, the Exiles, and the Sharks, joining Bahrain are the Abu Dhabi Harlequins First XV, and the defending champions the Dubai Hurricanes First XV.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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