Dubai: They may have failed to get on the scoresheet during their first-ever Sevens outing, but Solo Dubai could justifiably claim to be the most eye-catching team.
The players, who come from Dubai and Iran, lost 40-0 to Kooga Wailers, 56-0 to Marauders and 54-0 on the first day of the Dubai Rugby Sevens.
But the boys, who have been training for two years, were not about to let their losses get them down. They ran on to the pitch in shiny black skin-tight shirts and luminous yellow shorts.
SASOL, the sponsors of the Springbok rugby team, have donated 100 balls to the Arabian Gulf RFU.
The balls were handed over at a presentation held at English College after the Gulf faced South Africa in a practice sevens game.
England's Jason Leonard, the world's most capped rugby player, is enjoying watching from the sidelines.
The prop forward, who resisted a couple of offers to manage sides at the tournament, quipped: "I'm not built to play Sevens, I think I'll stick to watching."
A Lion in town
Also spotted taking in the rugby was former Scotland and British Lions great Gavin Hastings.
The full-back is still the leading scorer in World Cups with 227 points despite having retired after the 1995 competition.
A minute's silence in memory of John Lewis, the popular lock forward who tragically died recently, was observed before the Swansea Old Boys and Luxemburg Old Boys clash in the International Vets' Trophy.
A fund-raising match and dinner for John and Tony Nicklinson, a stalwart of the Sharjah Wanderers club and vice-chairman of the Arabian Gulf RFU who has returned to the UK after suffering a serious health problem, will be staged in Dubai in the New Year.
