AGRFU Colts flying high with support from Etihad Airways

The tour is taking place between Saturday 4th and Monday 13th April and will see them playing against teams from Malaysia and Hong Kong.

The airline has provided the team with a dedicated coach to take the players and their supporters to Abu Dhabi and have laid on a special check-in which will take place on Friday at 12 noon at its Dubai sales office and check-in at Chelsea Towers on Sheikh Zayed Road. In addition, when the team board the plane their seats will be easily distinguishable, as Etihad will brand the team's headrest covers with the AGRFU logo.

"Without the support of companies, such as Etihad, LIFCO, Murray & Roberts, ZWAN and Rafael Sugardo, it would not be possible for the team to participate in these sorts of tournaments. Hong Kong and Malaysia have long been seen as the power houses of Rugby in the region so it will be a fantastic opportunity for the boys to play against such high class opponents. We don't get to play them very often and there is a lot riding on this outcome," said Dominic Fanucci, Head Coach of the Under 16 side.

The outcome of the matches in Malaysia carries more than just satisfaction for the squad. "If the boys do well in this competition it will mean that next year the Arabian Gulf Under 16 team will be invited to participate in the English Junior Rugby Festival, which is seen as the Under 16 World Cup; which would give us the opportunity to play against the likes of South Africa, England, Wales and New Zealand."

Raymond Korban, Etihad Airways' Regional General Manager UAE and Oman, said:

"Etihad Airways is delighted to support the Arabian Gulf RFU under 16s team and wishes them the best of luck on their Malaysian tour. Grass roots sports continues to thrive in the UAE and Etihad is very proud to play a key role in this growth."

As part of their preparation for the tour the squad played a match against the visiting King Edwards School from England on Saturday 28th March, which they won convincingly, with a final score of 33 - 5. An all the more impressive result given that the Colts are an Under 16s side, while King Edwards fielded an Under 17s team.

The Colts will play four matches while on tour; two against local school sides on Sunday 5th and Thursday 9th April as well as one against Malaysia on Tuesday 7th their last match sees them face Hong Kong on Sunday 12th April.

The players going on tour include: Joshua Smith, Zack Tarrant Taylor (Capt.), Ben Turner, Tom Ogilvie, Rached Khairallah, Sean Barber, Kyle Knox, JJ Fanucci, Syafiq Hertog, Ignacio Costa, Myles Martins, Syarif Hertog, Layth Massoud, Anthony Collins, Marco Speranza, Rhys Dane Sanford, Robert Chandler, Fahd AL Dahimi, Phil Voster, Chris Burke, Todd Eunson, Quihen Marais, David Macbain, Adam Al Samarae and Joshua Warburton.