The stage is set for the international round of the 2005 Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens with 16 of the world's leading rugby nations ready to turn on the magic this weekend.
All systems are in place for this fantastic event, which took off yesterday with the social games at the Dubai Exiles ground.
In what is also the opening of the International Rugby Board Sevens season, the tournament will be the biggest yet with the world-class temporary stadium increased by a further 20 per cent to cater for an expected 30,000 fans.
"We are certainly in for a memorable few days," said Gary Chapman, President of Dnata and Associated Companies, Emirates Group.
"The Dubai Rugby Sevens has become a hugely popular event and we are delighted with the level of interest this year's event has received."
Looking for back-to-back glory will be England who won their inaugural Dubai crown in a spectacular final last year against the Fijians.
"If we are to succeed in winning again in Dubai our players must be able to push their skill levels, their fitness and their mental toughness to the limit," said Coach Mike Friday. "But I can promise you that this England squad is determined and they'll be going flat out to achieve back to back victories in Dubai."
But England know they will face the toughest of challenges from heavyweights New Zealand, South Africa and company who will all be aiming to regain their stranglehold on the Dubai Sevens.
The men in black are the unrivalled masters at the short form of the game they have won a remarkable six successive IRB World Series titles - yet the last time New Zealand won the award-winning Dubai event was in 2002.
Coach Gordon Tietjens says the lack of recent success in Dubai has cut deep and his men are determined to kick-start their 2005/06 campaign in the finest possible fashion.
"Last year we made it the to the semifinals so we are definitely looking to go one better this time around," Tietjens said. "The opening of the IRB Series is vitally important to us and we would love nothing more than to win the Dubai tournament again."
Tietjens says his men love coming to Dubai where they receive massive support from the New Zealand expatriate community.
Community feeling
"Personally, Dubai is my favourite Sevens tournament and we always receive tremendous support from the Kiwi community who love to get right behind us," Tietjens said.
Fiji, Samoa, Australia and Argentina are also capable of launching their seasons with silverware this weekend.
There are plenty of other teams that are capable of making a big impression as well, including France, Samoa, Wales and Scotland. Completing the International line-up is the region's very own Arabian Gulf. The amateur players of the Arabian Gulf will be hoping months of hard work and dedication pay off when they come face to face with the best players in the world.
"The world of Sevens rugby has really opened up in the last couple of seasons," said Chapman. "The international line-up we have in Dubai will see some of the best rugby action money can buy."
While the IRB tournament is the more glamorous side of the action, just as popular are the competitions that feature local, regional and international teams.
In fact, the four grass pitches at the Dubai Exiles ground will be in almost constant use over the next three days.
Away from the rugby action the event has become one of the biggest party and social occasions of the year. The climax will be the 'Rugby Rock', a hugely popular concert that is held on the final night of the tournament. This year the band is Stoned Again, the UK's premier tribute band to the Rolling Stones.
Families are also catered for and there will be a dedicated family stand for families who want to enjoy the rugby from an area that is specifically for them.
