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Duncan makes four changes to UAE Rugby team

UAE Rugby’s performance director Duncan Hall has made four changes to the national XV from the side beaten 85-10 by Hong Kong last weekend for this Saturday’s outing against Japan.

Three alterations are in the front row, where Christopher Jones-Griffiths comes in for Graham Murphy and Peter Sampson replaces Charles Lilley at loosehead prop and hooker respectively.

David Matasio also gets a start at openside flanker in the absence of the unavailable Sam Cook. Lilley and Murphy have both been named on the replacements’ bench.

The only switch in the backs sees Murray Strang don the number 10 jersey instead of the injured Andy Russell, who has been ruled out for the rest of this Asian Five Nations (A5N) campaign.

“Japan have put forward an almost new team and they still managed to put 87 points into Kazakhstan in their first game. They have set a clear demarcation,” Hall said ahead of this weekend’s A5N Top Five, second-round game in Fukuoka’s Level Five Stadium (Kick-off: 1pm UAE time). “We will be using this game to step up and improve. You need to be prepared to play against teams that will take you to another level – mentally and physically.

“That’s one of the great things about competing in the Top Five division – it provides this opportunity.”

UAE Rugby’s secretary general, Qais Al Dhalai, added: “It is important to remember that the development of UAE Rugby’s national XV side is a process that will take time and the success of this process is not necessarily based on game by game victories.

“Of course, we intend to win and we are aiming to make our mark in the Asian Five Nations Top Five division. “But, right now, we need our players to continually develop their skills and fitness through playing quality international sides. That way, we can only improve.”

Team

Christopher Jones-Griffiths (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Peter Sampson (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Dan Boatwright (Dubai Hurricanes), Greg Thompson (Dubai Hurricanes), Simon Osborne (Dubai Hurricanes), Brett Williams (Dubai Exiles), David Matasio (Dubai Wasps), Alistair Thompson-captain (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Patrick Hegarty (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Murray Strang (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Steve Smith (Dubai Hurricanes), Jonathon O’Connor (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Imad Reyal (Dubai Exiles), Sean Hurley (Jebel Ali Dragons), Tim Fletcher-vice-captain (Jebel Ali Dragons), Replacements: Charles Lilley (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Graham Murphy (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Tristan Barnett (Dubai Hurricanes), John Fawls (Dubai Exiles), Antione Bertheuil (Dubai Frogs), Joel Pikari (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Mohammed Al Sulaiman (Dubai Wasps).