RUGBY – BAHRAIN open their campaign in the men’s tournament of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy 2025 today against Iraq.
The 13-nation competition is being held in Muscat, Oman, and the kingdom’s representatives are in Group A for the first round, which also includes Iran. The nationals’ opening fixture is scheduled for a 9.17am start. They then face off with the Iranians at 12.19pm.
Group B features Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, and Kyrgyzstan; Group C is composed of India, Afghanistan, and Lebanon, and Group D comprises Jordan, Qatar, Palestine, and Oman. Syria were also originally scheduled to participate in the men’s programme but have withdrawn.
Following a single round-robin, the top two teams from each group in this opening stage move on to the Cup quarter-finals, which will be held later this evening. The Cup semi-finals and final, along with other classification games, will be held tomorrow.
The squads who do not qualify for the last eight will play in a lower-tier Challenge group, also to continue tomorrow.
Bahrain’s players in the Omani capital include skipper Greg Heath, Martin Prinsloo, Daniel Dryden, Dylan Vermeulen, Cooper Comrie, Joel Lewis, Lindsey Gibson, Alastair Crombie, Deina Morete, David Evans, Cole Crawford, Amaan Raza, and Jack Phillips.
The team’s staff includes Rory Drummond, Ross Preedy, and Amy Bowzaylo.
Upon their arrival in Oman yesterday, local officials welcomed the squad at the airport and presented them with a token of appreciation, received on behalf of the Bahraini delegation by Morete.
The Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy 2025 serves as a pathway tournament to Asia Rugby’s premier competition, the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2026.
Also in Muscat, a women’s competition will be taking place, featuring seven teams. They are Iran, Jordan, South Korea, Lebanon, Nepal, Syria, and Uzbekistan.
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