DUBAI // Tom Stapley’s progress towards his dream of a career in rugby has continued with his selection for Ireland’s extended sevens training squad.
The Dubai Exiles centre was sent on trial to Northern Ireland from the UAE last season, and he joined the academy of provincial side Ulster.
The former Jumeirah College schoolboy, who first aspired to a career in football as a goalkeeper before switching his attention to rugby, impressed to the extent he was retained for the season.
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Now he has been named in a 32-man squad from which Ireland will select their team for the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series which begins in June.
“He is delighted about the opportunity,” said Jacques Benade, the Dubai Exiles director of rugby.
“He has to go out, give it 100 per cent, and show what he can do. He was in the same squad last year, and just missed out on coming to the Dubai Rugby Sevens tournament.
“Hopefully this year he can make it. He is a quality player, and with his size, speed and skill-level, it gives him opportunities to play up front and at the back as well.”
If Stapley does make the final cut for the Ireland sevens side, and the team themselves are successful, it could be the first step on a long road to playing back in Dubai in the format.
Ireland have a significant goal from playing on the European Grand Prix circuit. If they finish as one of the top two teams — excluding England, Scotland, Wales, France and Russia — they will play at next year’s Hong Kong Sevens.
That tournament involves a repechage competition, the winners which will qualify for the World Rugby Sevens Series for the 2018/19 season. Dubai will likely be the opening leg of that series.
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
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Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
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
City's slump
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D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
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