RUGBY – BAHRAIN are set to compete in the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Sevens Trophy 2026, taking place today and tomorrow at Ayla Oasis in Aqaba, Jordan.
The competition is set to feature nine nations from West and Central Asia.
The kingdom’s squad are joined in the tournament by their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Oman, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, and hosts Jordan.
The Bahrain Rugby Football Association announced yesterday a 12-player roster for the event.
The list includes Greg Heath, Leon Mauer, Aled Morris, Rhys Fitzgerald, Martin Prinsloo, Dai Evans, Alastair Crombie, Cooper Comrie, Ali Alshaikh, Thibaut Pourcel, Amaan Raza, and Tian Jacobs.
Bahrain have been drawn in Group B for the championship’s preliminary round along with Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, and the host Jordanians.
Group A is composed of Saudi, Lebanon, Oman, Syria, and Pakistan.
The kingdom’s representatives open their campaign today against Kyrgyzstan at 11.05am.
They then take on Iraq at 2.55pm, and then complete their day’s schedule against Jordan at 5.25pm.
The nationals will be hoping to finish amongst the top two in their pool in order to advance to the Cup semi-finals, which will be played tomorrow from 12.20pm. The Cup final is then scheduled for 4.45pm.
Classification matches to determine the final rankings amongst the nine participating men’s teams will also be held throughout the day tomorrow. All times are Bahrain.
Aside from the men’s tournament, there is also a women’s event featuring five teams, including Saudi, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and hosts Jordan.
The winners of each competition will earn promotion to the continent’s premier competition, the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2027.
This year’s Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Sevens Trophy marks the first time Jordan is hosting an Asia Rugby sevens tournament.
The previous edition took place in Muscat, Oman last year.
Hosting arrangements for this year’s West and Central competition faced uncertainty amid the ongoing regional circumstances, but Jordan Rugby stepped forward and was awarded the hosting rights, ensuring that participating unions retain an important opportunity to compete and progress.
“We sincerely thank Jordan Rugby for stepping forward to host the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy and for the commitment and effort required to deliver this important tournament,” said Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai.
“Providing opportunities for our member unions to compete is central to growing rugby across Asia.
“Hosting also gives unions the chance to inspire their communities, strengthen local expertise and build a lasting legacy for the game.”
All matches will be streamed live on Asia Rugby’s official YouTube channel.
Bahrain finished fifth overall amongst the 13 men’s teams that took part in Muscat last year.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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