The World Series competition on Pitch 1 on Friday and Saturday may routinely attract the biggest crowds during the Sevens weekend. There are plenty of reasons to head to the outside fields, though, starting on Thursday. Paul Radley gives you a selection of matches that will be worth the trip on the first day, when admission is free.
See also: 10 must-watch rugby legends rolling back the years at the 2015 Dubai Sevens
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9.40am, Pitch 2: Christina Noble v Jinns Legends, International Vets
In the tournament with the most recognisable faces from yesteryear, Christina Noble Children’s Foundation begin their title defence against a side from Pakistan.
Dafydd James, Ceri Sweeney, Kevin Yates and Pita Alatini all played Test rugby. But CNCF’s star turn is likely to be Orene Ai’i, pictured, one of the all-time greats in sevens.
10.20am, Pitch 8: Joining Jack v Krasnoyarsk, International Vets
The rugby league royalty of Joining Jack will be complimented by some major faces from union as they try to break their Dubai title duck at the fourth time of asking.
Owen Farrell will be watching on as father Andy, pictured, plays alongside the likes of Mark Cueto, Tom May, Nathan Hines, and a plethora of former rugby league internationals.
12.20pm, Pitch 3 — J9 Legends v Alcobendas, International Vets
Sevens might never have been as popular as it is today without Waisale Serevi. The Fijian magician is 47 now, but he is back for another crack at the Dubai title.
Serevi, pictured, is the player-coach of J9 Legends, a team raising awareness of Joost van der Westhuizen’s battle with motor neuron disease, in the 10-a-side veterans event.
12.40pm, Pitch 3: Gulf Legends v Airbus, International Vets
Gulf Legends is a side made up of former international representatives of both the UAE and their forebears, the Arabian Gulf.
They also have one very impressive ringer: Steve Thompson, pictured, the former hooker who was a World Cup winner with England in 2003, who is now a resident of Dubai.
5.20pm, Pitch 2 UR7s Wanderers v O’Neill Nomads, International Open
The return of Thom Evans to the playing field five years after he was forced into retirement due to snapped vertebrae in his neck in a Six Nations match for Scotland is the headline story of this fixture.
That said, though, he is not the only talent to spot in the Ultimate Rugby 7s Wanderers side. Mat Turner, pictured left, the team’s captain, was player of the World Series tournament in Dubai in 2011.
9pm, Pitch 2: Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Gulf Men’s League
The seeding system must have gone awry, seeing as the two most successful sides in the recent past of Arabian Gulf rugby are in the same group.
Harlequins are the defending champions, after they ended Dragons’ long run of dominance last year. The Jebel Ali side have had a tough start to the season, but they did win the Al Ain Sevens on Friday.
