History
Due to the climate, Saudi rugby has been frequently played in extreme temperatures, with high temperatures or even on sand. Games are usually held in the evening for this reason.
Rugby union was introduced into Saudi Arabia by the British in the mid twentieth century. In more recent times, an influx of oil workers in the past three or four decades has meant that the sport has experienced a form of revival. In 1976, a rugby club was set in Al Khobar.
In 1978, Jeddah RFC was set up and according to their own website:
- "They played and practiced on a rough sand pitch, with bits of coral often found, by the old airport."
However, while British Commonwealth expatriates have tended to dominate rugby in the Kingdom for the past thirty years, in more recent times, the indigenous Saudi Arabian population has begun taking the sport up.
Infrastructure remains weak, but there are moves to try and develop it, and for the sport to be introduced into local schools and universities.
There are currently several rugby clubs in Saudi Arabia:
- Riyadh RFC
- Riyadh Falcons (RRFC's first team)
- Riyadh Scorpions (RRFC's over-35 team)
- Riyadh Junior Rugby Club (13-17 year olds)
- Jeddah RFC
- Al Khobar Quins RFC, formed from the merger of Khamis Quins RFC and Khobar Eagles RFC.
- Al Khobar Quins (Adult team)
- Al Khobar Quins (Junior team)
- Riyadh Warriors RFC
- Riyadh Warriors (Adult team)
- Riyadh Warriors (Junior team)
- Tiaf Tigers RFC
Since the IRB only requires three clubs for affiliation, it is possible that Saudi Arabia will become an ARFU Country in the near future.
At the Dubai 7s 2012 Jeddah RFC narrowly lost the Gulf Men's Open Plate and in the same competition in 2010, Riyadh Falcons won the Plate - beating Riyadh Warriors RFC 17-0 in the quarter finals on the way to defeating Fujairah RFC 29-0 in the Plate final. Also in 2012 the Riyadh Falcons won the Beruit 10's competition.
Read more about this topic: Rugby Union In Saudi Arabia
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