There is potential for confusion over the next two days at the Emirates Dubai Sevens.
Supporters of England, Scotland and Wales are going to be denied a time-honoured tradition. Instead of spending the weekend baiting each other, they are going to have to rub along together politely, seeing as they are all now tasked with backing the same team.
For the first time – at least at a tournament with fans present – the Home Nations will be represented by a Great Britain side at the Sevens.
It might take some getting used to but, according to Danielle Waterman, who is one of England’s greatest ever female players and an Olympian with Team GB in 2016, the positives outweigh what has been lost by unifying forces.
“I’m a huge advocate for it,” said Waterman, who is in Dubai as an ambassador for the HSBC World Series sponsors.
“In the women’s game in particular, we have somebody in the Team GB squad who was very, very close to being nominated for World Player of the Year in Jasmine Joyce.
“She was one of the top try-scorers in the tournament last week [when Dubai hosted a leg of the World Series behind closed doors], and took the tournament by storm in Vancouver.
“Yet she would not have been able to play on the World Series because Wales are so far off qualifying.
“There has been some wonderful talent that we wouldn’t have been able to see on the world stage.
"This weekend will be the biggest crowd these girls have played in front of. It is a wonderful opportunity.”
Britain’s women kick off the World Series matches at 9am on Pitch 2 against France. The GB men make their Dubai debut against Ireland at 10.50am on the main field.
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
