Here at Yalla Rugby we know first hand about finding a rugby club in Dubai. Becoming an expat and moving abroad to a foreign land can at first be a pretty daunting experience. You’re choosing to start a new life in a country unfamiliar to you, and whilst extremely rewarding, it can take a while to settle in and find your feet.

Once you are settled however, it’s then time for you to find a sense of normality and to start living your life the way you want it to be lived. Rugby for example, is a universally spoken language that people all across the globe can understand. Playing rugby in Dubai not only gives you some beneficial exercise, it’s also challenging, and it teaches you discipline and various other life skills in the process.

Gulf Rugby Clubs

If you yourself happen to be an avid rugby fan, looking to play expat rugby in Dubai, you’ll need to be on the lookout for a club to play for. Finding a club in an unfamiliar part of the world however, can be tricky, which is why we’ve compiled this handy guide on how to find the best rugby teams and club to support in your area.

Available Rugby Clubs In Dubai

In alphabetical order, we’ve listed only the UAERF affiliated rugby clubs based in Dubai below;

• Barrelhouse RFC
• Dragons RFC
• Exiles RFC
• Hurricanes RFC
• Phoenix RFC
• Sharks RFC
• Tigers RFC
• Warriors RFC

Available Rugby Clubs In Abu Dhabi

The capital of the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi, which is about an hours drive away from the popular holiday destination of Dubai. In alphabetical order, we’ve listed only the rugby clubs based in Abu Dhabi below;

• Abu Dhabi French RFC
• Amblers RFC
• Harlequins RFC
• Small Blacks RFC

Northern Emirates Rugby Clubs

In alphabetical order, we’ve listed only the rugby clubs based in Sharjah and Ras Al-Khaimah below;

• Rak RFC
• Sharjah RFC

What Should I Expect When Playing Rugby In The UAE?

If you’ve moved to the UAE from a much cooler part of the world, one of the first things that you will immediately notice is just how incredibly hot it is in the United Arab Emirates. For that reason, before you commit to any Dubai rugby club or team, first you will need to know what to expect. For example, playing rugby matches, and training for rugby, outdoors in intense heat is not to be taken lightly. Playing rugby and training in extreme heat is very difficult and very taxing, so it’s vital that you stay well hydrated at all times. Not only will you have to contend with the physical challenges thrown at you on the rugby pitch, you also have the burning hot sun to deal with. Even evening games are sometimes very hot and sweaty. As well as that, there is the language barrier to contend with.

Ask Around For Advice

Another great tip for anybody looking to play UAE Expat rugby in Dubai, is to ask around for any recommendations/suggestions on clubs that may be looking for new players. Gyms are great places to begin your search as there is a big bodybuilding culture in the UAE, and if there’s one thing that rugby players are known for, it’s their huge size, strength, and their love of pumping iron in preparation of games.

So with that new knowledge in mind, we wish you the best of luck when choosing a rugby club in Dubai and the UAE!!!