RUGBY – Bahrain’s First XV and Second XV rugby teams are set for an action-packed season in their respective regional tournaments kicking off in October.
The teams’ schedules for their 2026-27 campaigns were released yesterday by Bahrain Rugby Club (BRC).
The kingdom’s First XV are defending champions in the Men’s West Asia Premiership.
They headline a stacked nine-team competition that also includes the First XVs of Doha, the Dubai Dragons, the Dubai Exiles, the Abu Dhabi Harlequins, the Dubai Hurricanes, Shaheen RFC, the Dubai Sharks and the Dubai Tuskers.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Second XV will be going for glory amongst a field of 10 teams in UAE Division One action.
They will be lining up against the First XVs of the Al Ain Amblers, Dubai-based Barrelhouse Rugby Club, and the Dubai Tigers; along with the Second XVs of the Dubai Dragons, Dubai Exiles, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai Hurricanes, Shaheen RFC and the Dubai Sharks.
Bahrain’s First XV kick off their title-defence on October 2 at home against the Tuskers, while the Second XV will be taking to the pitch at BRC the same day against another Tuskers squad, according to the BRC schedule.
Action in both leagues continue until the completion of the preliminary round in April of 2027, after which the kingdom’s squads will be hoping to have booked their places in their semi-finals, currently scheduled for April 23 and 24. The finals are slated for May 1 next year.
Bahrain’s First XV were officially crowned champions of the 2025-26 Men’s West Asia Premiership after the season was cut short due to the unfortunate events in the region.
They were headed into the semi-finals as number one seeds at that stage, having won all 12 of their games in the preliminaries.
They thus secured the crown with an undefeated campaign, regaining the title they last won in 2022-23.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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