Eighteen years after he might have done so as a player, and with 129 international caps in between, Ben Youngs will make it to the Dubai Rugby sevens this season.
How times change. Back then, he was just a teenager aspiring to a career in the pro game. As the third-choice scrum-half for Leicester Tigers he was given time off to go and represent England on the World Sevens Series – but only belatedly in the season.
He missed Dubai, but played in Hong Kong and Adelaide. It was a brief foray into the abridged format before returning to build a record-breaking career in the XVs game.
The 127 appearances he went on to make for the senior side are the most by anyone for England, and he played two Tests for the British & Irish Lions, too.
The now-retired scrum-half will not be turning out for one of the all-star charity sides in the 10-a-side vets event at The Sevens at the end of November.
At present, at least, it seems unlikely he will be competing in the Wodon3 fitness competition, either, although he has not closed the door entirely.
“Basically, I’ve got a lot of work to do between now and then to get back into some sort of shape,” he said, during a flying visit to the city this weekend.
Instead, Youngs will be hosting coaching clinics, as well as a live recording of his podcast. Coincidentally, his podcast co-host Dan Cole – who is second in the list of England’s appearance makers – did once play in Dubai. Which feels odd: as a prop forward, Cole was less than ideally suited to the annual sevens event.
Instead, he appeared alongside players like Danny Care and Danny Cipriani in the 2006 Junior World Championship, which was played at Dubai Exiles and Sharjah Wanderers.
Their podcast, For the Love of Rugby, is distinct from its packed field of competitors by way of the time Youngs and Cole spend trying to explain the game, rather than telling tales of their times as players.
“We love it,” Youngs said. “When we first set this up, we wanted people to listen and go, ‘These boys really care about the game and put it in a positive light.’
“In rugby, there’s so many moving parts. It can be incredibly confusing for some people because, you watch it and something happens and if you ask someone, ‘Why did that happen?’ they might go, ‘Well, they just got it and beat them’.
“Then I’d think, ‘Well, let me break it down for you.’ I've really enjoyed that part of it and being able to break it down, hopefully in layman’s terms.”
Maybe Youngs and Cole could use their away day in Dubai to decrypt exactly what is going on with sevens.
The world series is being revamped for the third time in five seasons, attracting much criticism in the process, and the competition structure is becoming harder to follow than ever before.
Great Britain, to pick an example, only snuck into the core teams after finishing eighth on the series last season. And they have since announced they will be reducing the funding of a programme which was already stripped bare as it was.
It is a world away from the days when England would compete for, and often win, the title in Dubai, with matches against Wales and Scotland being some of the most frenzied of the weekend rugby carnival.
“You want that rivalry, don’t you?” Youngs said. “I think in rugby it is a great that there is a healthy rivalry and it’s done in a form of banter.
“It has changed and it’s different, but if you are just watching it, you can still be highly entertained. Maybe it’s a little bit different because it’s GB, but you could still be totally entertained by that.”
The changes mean players using sevens as stepping stone to big things in the XVs game are becoming fewer. It seems a pity, as Youngs himself said playing sevens was “one of the best things I did”.
“How it used to work at the time was England sevens would have no central contracts,” Youngs said.
“They had three or four players that were regulars and then the rest of the team would be made up by players that were available.
“At the time that I did it, that was the stage where they were using it as a pathway. I’d done England Under 20s and there were about four of us from there that they pinpointed, picked out, and said, ‘You do a couple of tournaments throughout the year because it will help with your development’.
“And, honestly, it was one of the best things I did. I think it had a huge influence, and I feel like you look at a lot of people, some of the global superstars, they all wore seven shirts at some point.”
Antoine Dupont, the scrum-half Youngs regards as the best he ever played against, is one such player.
He was already a global star of the XVs game when he dipped into the abbreviated format for long enough to help France win gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
“A massive part of XVs is what sevens has done,” Youngs said.
“They’re totally different games in many ways, but Dupont jumping back and doing his thing as well has been huge for the game.”
The dream seven
Ben Youngs played for every England representative side, and won more XVs caps than anyone else for his country. He did play on the World Sevens Series, but he missed out on playing in Dubai.
When The National asked him to name a dream sevens side of players he played with – the only rule being he had to name himself – this is what he came up with.
Tom Curry
“He hasn’t played sevens, but he could,” Youngs said of the British & Irish Lions back rower. “The guy is a machine, so he’d be absolutely fine. I need him whacking things and getting the ball back for us.”
Ben Earl
“He’s just been on the Lions tour, he’s as quick as a back, but very powerful,” Youngs said of the England loose forward.
Ben Youngs
It was mandated that he had to pick himself. He played in Hong Kong and Adelaide Sevens for England before going onto become their most capped XVs player ever.
George Ford
Youngs was frequently paired with Ford at club and international level. “One of the best skillsets of anyone I’ve ever played with,” Youngs said. “Incredibly fit, which is handy, but also creative.”
Mathew Tait
A flying back who won the Dubai Sevens in 2005, played in a World Cup final in XVs, and is now tournament director at The Sevens. “I played with him at Leicester,” Youngs said. “If you watched him in the Commonwealth Games [in Melbourne in 2006], he was awesome.”
Dan Norton
“He’s been one of the greatest to ever grace sevens, so he’d be in there,” Youngs said of the format’s record try scorer.
Tom Vardnell
Won the Dubai Sevens with England in 2005, a week after having made his debut for their XVs side at Twickenham. “He was unbelievable,” Youngs said of his former Leicester teammate.
Replacement
Sam Simmonds
“Played for England, and in the back row for Exeter for a long time,” Youngs said. “He is another guy who could run around all day.”
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
SQUADS
Bangladesh (from): Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed
Afghanistan (from): Rashid Khan (capt), Ihsanullah Janat, Javid Ahmadi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Qais Ahmad, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Afsar Zazai, Shapoor Zadran
Last five meetings
2013: South Korea 0-2 Brazil
2002: South Korea 2-3 Brazil
1999: South Korea 1-0 Brazil
1997: South Korea 1-2 Brazil
1995: South Korea 0-1 Brazil
Note: All friendlies
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410m | Winner: Bin Battuta, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Al Hayette, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m | Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Another Batt, Connor Beasley, George Scott
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Aahid Al Khalediah II, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Whistle, Harry Bentley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup - Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alsaied, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Mumayaza, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
8pm: President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Medahim, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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BLACKBERRY
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Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Esperance de Tunis 0
Al Ain 3 (Ahmed 02’, El Shahat 17’, Al Ahbabi 60’)
FINAL SCORES
Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs
(Sandy Sandeep 29, Hamdan Tahir 26 no, Umair Ali 2-15)
Sharjah 131 for 8 in 19.3 overs
(Kashif Daud 51, Umair Ali 20, Rohan Mustafa 2-17, Sabir Rao 2-26)
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Muguruza's singles career in stats
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
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States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition
Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Schedule:
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
THREE
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Results
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m
