10 players to watch at Dubai Rugby Sevens 2021

Some of the world's best will be on show at The Sevens this weekend, with a few returning legends sprinkled in between

Ireland's Jordan Conroy, right, fends off Britain's Robbie Fergusson during an HSBC Canada Sevens rugby match in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, September 25, 2021. The Canadian Press

Selvyn Davids (South Africa, Men’s World Series) Scored six tries as the Blitzboks made a winning start to their World Series campaign in Dubai. First fixture: Friday, 11.12am, Pitch 1 – South Africa v Japan. AFP

Charlotte Caslick (Australia, Women’s World Series) Five tries in the series opener last weekend took her career tally into triple figures. First fixture: Friday, 9.22am, Pitch 1 – Australia v Spain. Reuters

Carlin Isles (United States, Men’s World Series) Arguably the fastest player ever in sevens, Isles scored three tries in the opening leg of the series. First Fixture: Friday, 10.28am, Pitch 1 – United States v Canada. AFP

Jaz Joyce (Great Britain, Women’s World Series) First toured Dubai while a fresher at university back in 2014, the pocket rocket is now one of the stars of the series. First fixture: Friday, 9am, Pitch 2 – Great Britain v France. Getty Images

Mike Phillips (HGB Legends, International Vets) The former British & Irish Lions scrum-half – and ex-Jebel Ali Dragons coach – will be turning out for a Welsh charity side. First fixture: Thursday, 10.20am, Pitch 6 – HGB Legends v Nomads Wanderers. Satish Kumar for The National

Ben Gollings (100 World Legends, International Vets) Years since he finished on the World Series, but he remains its leading point scorer by more than 600. First fixture: Thursday, 10am, Pitch 2 – 100 World Legends v Richmond Swansea Heavies. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Pio Tuwai (LAR Speranza 22, International Invitational) One of the all-time great entertainers will be turning out alongside Fiji sevens royalty. First fixture: Thursday, 2.20pm, Pitch 4 – LAR Speranza 22 v Monaco Impis. AFP

Oscar Kolinisau (LAR Speranza 22, International Invitational) A World Rugby hall of famer and the captain of the Fiji side who won Olympic gold in Rio in 2016. First fixture: Thursday, 2.20pm, Pitch 4 – LAR Speranza 22 v Monaco Impis. AFP

James McCarthy (Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Gulf Men’s League) Played two World Series tournaments for Wales, and is now living in the UAE capital. First fixture: Thursday, 6.40pm, Pitch 3 – Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Abu Dhabi Saracens 10 Year. AFP

Some 727 days after winning it in front of packed stands in Dubai, and six since winning it in front of empty ones, South Africa’s sevens team will begin the defence of their Emirates International Trophy.

The Blitzboks have long been the dominant force at the Dubai Sevens. Including last weekend’s behind-closed-doors tournament at The Sevens, they have won five of the last seven events in the city.

Unsurprisingly, given all that success, their squad is laden with skill, speed and flair – but they are not the only ones. Wherever you look at the tournament this weekend there will be talent on show.

Here are just some of the players to look out for.

Jordan Conroy (Ireland, Men’s World Series)

The leading tryscorer on the 2020 series has joined up with Ireland’s squad having missed last weekend’s tournament. First fixture: Friday, 10.50am, Pitch 1 – Ireland v Great Britain

Selvyn Davids (South Africa, Men’s World Series)

Scored six tries as the Blitzboks made a winning start to their World Series campaign in Dubai. First fixture: Friday, 11.12am, Pitch 1 – South Africa v Japan

Charlotte Caslick (Australia, Women’s World Series)

Five tries in the series opener last weekend took her career tally into triple figures. First fixture: Friday, 9.22am, Pitch 1 – Australia v Spain

Carlin Isles (United States, Men’s World Series)

Arguably the fastest player ever in sevens, Isles scored three tries in the opening leg of the series. First Fixture: Friday, 10.28am, Pitch 1 – United States v Canada

Jaz Joyce (Great Britain, Women’s World Series)

First toured Dubai while a fresher at university back in 2014, the pocket rocket is now one of the stars of the series. First fixture: Friday, 9am, Pitch 2 – Great Britain v France

Mike Phillips (HGB Legends, International Vets)

The former British & Irish Lions scrum-half – and ex-Jebel Ali Dragons coach – will be turning out for a Welsh charity side. First fixture: Thursday, 10.20am, Pitch 6 – HGB Legends v Nomads Wanderers

Ben Gollings (100 World Legends, International Vets)

Years since he finished on the World Series, but he remains its leading point scorer by more than 600. First fixture: Thursday, 10am, Pitch 2 – 100 World Legends v Richmond Swansea Heavies

Pio Tuwai (LAR Speranza 22, International Invitational)

One of the all-time great entertainers will be turning out alongside Fiji sevens royalty. First fixture: Thursday, 2.20pm, Pitch 4 – LAR Speranza 22 v Monaco Impis

Oscar Kolinisau (LAR Speranza 22, International Invitational)

A World Rugby hall-of-famer and the captain of the Fiji side who won Olympic gold in Rio in 2016. First fixture: Thursday, 2.20pm, Pitch 4 – LAR Speranza 22 v Monaco Impis

James McCarthy (Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Gulf Men’s League)

Played two World Series tournaments for Wales, and is now living in the UAE capital. First fixture: Thursday, 6.40pm, Pitch 3 – Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Abu Dhabi Saracens