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Dubai: The Arabian Gulf men's rugby team flies out to Osaka to take on the might of Asian rugby - Japan.
The 16th ranked side in the world has appeared in every Rugby World Cup since its inception in 1987 and are fulltime professionals with All Back legend John Kirwan as its head coach.
The fully sanctioned official Test match is part of round two of the inaugural HSBC Asian Five Nations.
In Al Ain last week the Gulf let slip a six-point lead losing to visitors Hong Kong 20-12.
Two new faces to complement the eight players who made their debuts last week have been included.
Former England Under 19 fly half Jo Czerpak joins the squad alongside his Abu Dhabi club mate prop Manu Barry.
Thrilled
The French Project Manager has been a regular in the strong capital forward pack for the last four years after previously having lengthy playing stints with Doha and Bahrain RFC.
Speaking from Paris where he was about to board a plane to fly back to Dubai to assemble with his Gulf teammates the affable Barry said, "I'm thrilled to have been included in the team, I just want to do my best and repay the faith the coaches have shown in including me."
Czerpak has recently successfully gained his England RFU Level Three coaching credentials and his tactical savvy and tidy play will be a real asset for the Gulf team as they take on a Japanese team that includes a Kiwi trio of backs who in addition to their Japan experience are all former New Zealand Maori representatives with a wealth of Super 14 experience.
The match which kicks off on Saturday will be shown live on Showtime Supersports..
Two new faces to complement the eight players who made their debut last week have been included, Jo Czerpak and prop Manu Barry...
team
AGRFU Team to Play Japan: Mark Gathercole (Dubai Exiles) Vivian Albertyn (Dubai Dragons) Manu Barry (Abu Dhabi RUFC) Diarmuid O'Malley - Captain (Dubai Dragons) Steve Huber (Dubai Hurricanes) Karl Sutcliffe (Muscat RFC)
Ed Nicholas (Dubai Exiles) Dave Clark (Dubai Exiles) Sean Hurley (Dubai Dragons) Paul Beard (Dubai Exiles) Ayman Razek (Gulf Sevens) -pending medical report Stephen Cooper - Vice Captain (Dubai Exiles) Jo Czerpak (Abu Dhabi RUFC) Francois Coetzer (Dubai Exiles) Stuart Gibbs (Dubai Dragons) Jaco De Jager (Doha RFC) Graham Brown (Dubai Hurricanes) Jonathon Brookes (Dubai Exiles) Mark Simon (Abu Dhabi RUFC) Mike McKnight (Doha RFC) Fain Ferguson (Dubai Dragons) Chris Gregory (Dubai Hurricanes)
Coaches, Wayne Marsters Manager, Martin Southern.
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