The six leading clubs in the Emirates, plus Muscat, will play in a newly created competition, the UAE Premiership, this season, starting next week. Abu Dhabi Harlequins, and Dubai's Dragons, Exiles and Hurricanes are also in the Arabian Gulf Top Six, which kicks off today.
Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Coach Ali Thompson
Captain Jamie Clarke
Last season Gulf Cup winners
Lowdown - The UAE's most successful club have a new chairman, captain and ground at Zayed Sports City, having outgrown their Al Ghazal home
Al Ain Amblers
Coach Tui Waruhia
Captain To be announced
Last season Emirates League winners
Lowdown - The thriving club are unconcerned over the step up in quality, having retained the majority of the side which won the second tier last season
Dubai Dragons
Player-coach Shane Thornton
Captain Trent Eastgate
Last season Dubai Rugby Sevens winners
Lowdown - Bruce Birtwistle has spent the pre-season helping out the Dragons' forward pack. They can be champions if they marry that to their back line
Dubai Exiles
Coach Pete Aki
Captain Brett Williams
Lowdown - They made the recruitment of the summer by signing Ravin du Plessis, a highly regarded former Super 14 coach, as director of rugby
Dubai Hurricanes
Coach Brian Allen
Captain Chris Gregory
Lowdown - The club have signed a sponsorship deal with Emirates. That will provide a huge financial boost for a club who used to be head and shoulders above the rest
Toa Dubai
Player-coaches John Mamea-Wilson and Andrew Fa'avali
Captain: Adrian Kerr
Last season: Sharjah 10s winners
Lowdown - The newest club in senior UAE rugby will be without the ex-Samoa international hooker, Trevor Leota. Danny Tusitala, the highly-rated fly-half, will lead the challenge from No 10 * Compiled by Paul Radley