For the first time since the onset of the Covid pandemic, the Emirates Dubai Sevens will be up to a full quota of teams when it returns this weekend.
Some of the stars of the past are returning to the site of their former glories, while there are many more bidding to make names for themselves.
Here are 10 players to look out for among the 4,500 or so participants at The Sevens on the National Day weekend.
Jordan Conroy (Ireland)
Once scored five tries in a single match in Dubai, he is back again with Ireland.
First chance to see him: 10.06am, Friday, Pitch 2 – Ireland v Spain
Jaz Joyce (Great Britain)
Part of the Wales squad at the XVs World Cup in New Zealand this month, she has raced back into sevens in time for Dubai.
First chance to see her: 9.44am, Friday, Pitch 1 – Great Britain v New Zealand
Perry Baker (United States)
Now 36, he remains one of the most recognisable faces on the circuit.
First chance to see him: 10.06am, Friday, Pitch 1 – United States v Canada.
Charlotte Caslick (Australia)
Olympic, Commonwealth and World Cup Sevens gold medals. Ex-World Rugby Sevens player of the year. She’s basically won it all.
First chance to see her: 9.22am, Friday, Pitch 1 – Australia v China
Branco du Preez (South Africa)
A hundred tries on the World Sevens Series. Closing in on 1,500 points. Still mint.
First chance to see him: 11.34am, Friday, Pitch 1 – South Africa v Great Britain
Charity Williams (Canada)
Once aspired to be an Olympian in gymnastics – instead she made it there as a rugby player.
First chance to see her: 9am, Friday, Pitch 1 – Canada v United States
Charlie Taylor (Dubai Tigers)
Played at Dubai Sevens twice on the World Series with Australia. Had four years out, now is back playing in the Gulf Men’s League.
First chance to see him: 6pm, Thursday, Pitch 2 – Dubai Tigers v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Christelene Steinhobel (Dubai Sharks)
Swapped cricket for rugby, played for South Africa, and is now heading up Dubai Sharks in the Gulf Women’s competition.
First chance to see her: 6.40pm, Thursday, Pitch 8 – Dubai Sharks v Sharjah Wanderers Ladies
Dafydd James (100 World Legends)
The former Wales and British & Irish Lions wing will captain an all-star side in the International Vets.
First chance to see him: 8am, Thursday, Pitch 2 – 100 World Legends v Airbus
Emily Eglen (DESC)
Leading try-scorer as UAE U20s won in Uzbekistan in the Asia Sevens Series recently, she will be leading her school’s challenge in the Gulf U19 Girls.
First chance to see her: 1pm, Thursday, Pitch 4 – DESC v Al Maha
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%C2%A0profile
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Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
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Power: 819hp
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Rating: 4/5
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Tim Paine (captain), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Company%20profile
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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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)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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
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Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
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