France could play matches in UAE

Saturday 6 May 2017

Talking after signing a memorandum of understanding with the UAE rugby federation, French federation President Bernard Laporte said staging France matches overseas would "help develop rugby in the UAE and the region".

Emirati federation general secretary Qais al-Dhalai, quoted by Gulf News, said: "A proper Test match between France and another big team like New Zealand or Australia is a big possibility in 2018 or perhaps in 2019.

"Of course, the UAE hosts the very popular Dubai Rugby Sevens each year, but we have never hosted a proper Test match.

"This would be a major sporting event as it would be the first time in the UAE history or any other country in this region to host a rugby Test match."

Agence France-Presse

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