DUBAI // Ian Overton is keen to make up for lost time after being drafted in to the UAE side for the opening leg of the Asian Sevens Series in China.
The Welsh winger was one of a raft of new names in the national sevens side for this weekend’s trip to Qingdao.
An elevation to international duty has felt overdue for Overton, who has won multiple titles with Jebel Ali Dragons in the four years since he moved to the UAE.
He trained with the national XVs side ahead of their Asian Championship campaign at the end of last season, only to miss the final cut for the trip to Malaysia due to work commitments.
Since then he has moved to Al Ain, where he has taken up a role at Brighton College, and is grateful he has been encouraged to represent the national team by his new employers.
“The school I was at (in May) wouldn’t give me the time off,” said Overton, 31, who plans to continue playing for Jebel Ali this season.
“It was a shame. I was really excited to travel to Kuala Lumpur. The boys who did go, I’m good pals with and they really enjoyed the experience.
“I have moved to Al Ain now and the school have said to go for it and have given me time off to travel. I’m really excited, and sevens is one of my favourite aspects of the game.”
Roelof Kotze, the performance manager, has been encouraged by the impact expatriate players have made since returning to the sevens fold this summer.
The 12-man squad includes five Emiratis, as well as many of the leading expatriate players in the game in this country – not just the best eligible for selection.
Overton and Chris Marshall, another new cap from Abu Dhabi Harlequins, have long been two of the most potent wingers at UAE Premiership level. Jaen Botes, who was player of the season as Abu Dhabi Saracens won the Gulf Top Six title last season, is also making his first trip with the sevens side.
Their expertise will be gratefully received, given the tough draw the UAE have been handed at the pool stage in China.
“It is going to be really tough,” Kotze said. “Hong Kong are one of the two best sides in Asia, and the Philippines played in the last World Cup Sevens, so it won’t be easy. We hope we can take a step up.”
The national team plan to compete in all three legs of the sevens series this season, with tournaments in Thailand and Sri Lanka after this weekend’s opener in China.
The aim is to finish in the top eight teams on the series, to qualify to become a core side on the circuit next season.
pradley@thenational.ae
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