Jebel Ali Dragons all fired-up ahead of Gulf Top Six

Doha go into the final round of the Gulf Top Six with the slimmest of leads at the top as they head a pack of three teams that could still get their hands on the trophy. The regional competition is set for a thrilling climax on Friday afternoon as Doha make the challenging trip to second-place Dragons, behind only on points difference, while Abu Dhabi Harlequins, in third and a point further back, travel to 7he Sevens to face Dubai Exiles with the title still a mathematical possibility. The tie of the round is undoubtedly at the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence where the Dragons know a bonus point win would secure them the season’s first piece of silverware. Conversely, defeat could see them finish as low as third, but Club Captain Dan Heal is confident his side have what it takes to close out the championship. “We’re looking forward to Friday, no injury worries, and just mega excited, it’s a massive weekend,” he told Sport360°. “We know it’s in our own hands, if we win with a bonus point we win, otherwise we’ve got to rely on other people. But, we know what we’ve got to do.” On the benefit of having home advantage, Heal added: “Doha are a very tough team, but they are a lot tougher when they are at their place. They’ll be very, very strong but the destiny’s in our hands, so we know exactly what we need to do to win the league and we’re going to go out and do it on Friday.” Heal expects a tough battle up front against Doha, but thinks his side have the edge if they are able to get good ball to their backs. He said: “Without doubt I think our backline is one of the strongest in the league. We’ve got some new forwards coming in this season, so we’re looking to match them up front and then unleash our backs.” For Quins Director of Rugby Chris Davies, the focus is on getting maximum points from a tough trip to face Exiles, before worrying about what happens in Jebel Ali. The capital club realistically have to get a bonus point win at 7he Sevens and hope for a draw or narrow win in the other game. A victory is still of huge importance to Quins though as they prepare for the start of the UAE Premiership. Davies said: “We’re massive believers in worrying about what we do well, getting our things right and then the rest will just look after itself really. So, we’ll focus on the basics and let the performance deal with the outcome really. It’s out of our hands at the end of the day so all we’re looking for is that win.”