DUBAI // Dubai Exiles face a potentially season-defining meeting with Jebel Ali Dragons on Friday without the services of their captain Glenn Moore.
The No 8 was sent off early in their comeback win over Dubai Hurricanes last weekend for his part in a scuffle.
A four-week ban for punching was reduced to two because of his previous exemplary record, but it does mean he will be missing when Exiles face the Dragons at The Sevens. DuRandt Gerber, the fly-half, will take over the captaincy in his absence.
The two Dubai rivals are vying for the final play-off birth in the West Asia Premiership. Defending champions Exiles have a four-point advantage with two matches left, but they have played two games more than the fifth-placed Jebel Ali side.
The Dragons will also be without their regular captain. Ross Samson, their scrum-half, was injured last time out against Doha.
“I think this match will signal where the teams go from here, as it will be a really long road back for the one that doesn’t win this one,” said Niall Statham, the UAE captain and Dragons flanker.
“Both teams will have targeted the playoffs at the start of the season. It is not quite win or bust, but it is very close to that.
“We are disappointed coming off two very close losses [to Bahrain and Doha] but are wary of the fact Exiles had an incredible turnaround with 14 men in their last game. It is going to be a very tight match.”
The Premiership leaders Abu Dhabi Harlequins will put their unbeaten record on the line when they travel to second-placed Doha. Abu Dhabi Saracens host Dubai Hurricanes in the other match in the top division.
Friday’s fixtures
■ Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons
■ Doha v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
■ Abu Dhabi Saracens v Dubai Hurricanes
Table
1 Abu Dhabi Harlequins 8-1-0, 38 points
2 Doha 6-1-2, 30 points
3 Bahrain 6-0-4, 30 points
4 Dubai Exiles 5-0-5, 24 points
5 Jebel Ali Dragons 3-0-5, 20 points
6 Dubai Hurricanes 2-0-7, 10 points
7 Abu Dhabi Saracens 1-0-8, 9 points
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