RUGBY – BAHRAIN’S First XV rugby team will be looking to wrap up their regular-season campaign today with an undefeated record in the 2025-26 Men’s West Asia Premiership.
The kingdom’s representatives host their counterparts from Qatar’s Doha First XV at Bahrain Rugby Club (BRC) this evening. The game is scheduled for a 5pm kick-off and it will be streamed live on BRC’s YouTube channel.
The First XV have so far won all 11 of their fixtures to date and are assured the top seeds heading into the semi-finals. They hope to keep their pristine record intact for the second successive season, and will be aiming to regain the regional crown they last won in 2022-23.
BRC named their squad yesterday ahead of today’s clash. The team’s roster includes Matthew McKee, Lindsey Gibson, Andries de Kock, Tian Jacobs, Awethu Lushozi, Aled Morris, Charlie Farmer, Ethan MacDonald, Kenta Kutsuna, Cormac Fox, Josh Petro, David Evans, Greg Heath, Gregor Smith, Jack Hocking, Jayden Summers, David Ofori-Manteaw, Nick Young, Rhys Fitzgerald, Alastair Crombie, Romeo Eksteen, Joel Kidgell, and Deina Morete.
Adam Wallace is the director of rugby, Gibson the forwards coach, Jack Parry the scrum and defence coach, Ross Preedy the backs coach, and Greg Heath the strength and conditioning coach.
Bahrain’s First XV are coming off a resounding 31-10 win against the Dubai Dragons First XV in their previous match last week in the UAE.
The kingdom’s side also won their first meeting of this campaign against Doha – a game that ended 33-12 in their favour held last October in the Qatari capital. Doha are currently in last place on the league table with just one victory from nine outings.
The Men’s West Asia Premiership semi-finals are currently scheduled to take place in the first weekend of April, to be followed by the final the following weekend.
The First XV’s undefeated regular-season run last season was spoiled when they bowed to the Dubai Hurricanes First XV in the final.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Second XV rugby team are scheduled to hit the pitch next weekend away for their final contest in 2025-26 Men’s UAE Division One action.
They are scheduled to face off with the Dubai Dragons Second XV in a crucial affair that they hope will cement their hold on a berth in the semis, which are also scheduled to take place in April.
The Second XV are presently on a 4-2 win-loss record in fourth on the standings while the Dragons Second XV are fifth on a 3-3 mark.
Also at BRC this weekend, Bahrain’s under-11, under-16, and Golden Oldies squads will be in action against their counterparts from Dubai-based Barrelhouse Rugby Club. Those matches will be held tomorrow from 10.30am.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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