UAE Launches Women’s XV League

UAE Rugby has launched a Women’s XV League which is hoped to develop and transform the 15-a-side rugby for women’s rugby union in the region.

Yalla Rugby reported that the “league marks a significant milestone as the first competitive 15-a-side rugby league exclusively for women in the region” and that albeit a short season, there will be three rounds of action which will feature four teams.

We have not seen any actual confirmation on the UAE Rugby Federation website or social channels.

The UAE Women’s XV League Teams

The Women’s XV League will be a round-robin played over three rounds, showcasing female players from the UAE and Doha with matches getting underway from 15th March 2024 and running until the end of April.

Rugby players from 9 regional clubs will be involved and make up the four teams involved in the inaugural Women’s XV League in 2024.

The four teams that comprise the new rugby union championship all bear the name of a female superhero character:

• Harleys – Players selected from the Abu Dhabi Harlequins.
• Ravens – Consists of players from three local clubs – the Dubai Exiles, Al Maha and the Sharjah Wanderers.
• Rockets – The side will comprise players from two clubs – the Dubai Hurricanes and Doha RFC.
• Scarlets – Consists of players from Dubai Phoenix, Dubai Sharks and Al Ain Amblers Rugby Club.

Yalla Rugby will update the league standings on its website.

UAE Rugby

Dubai hosted the WXV in 2023 and will do so again in 2024 – with the WXV3 heading to the Emirates Stadium from September to October. The venue is also the annual host of the Dubai Sevens which is traditionally the first leg of the HSBC World Rugby SVNS Series in December.

The UAE youth, men’s and women’s 7s teams have been surging at Asia Rugby tournaments over recent seasons, while the national Men’s XV team will also play in the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship for the first time in 2024 – taking on Malaysia, South Korea, and defending champions Hong Kong China. This tournament acts as a pathway for RWC 2027.

Does the new UAE  Women’s XV League signify the UAE Federation’s intentions to compete with the leading women’s teams in Asia – which currently are Japan, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong China?

Rugby Tournament News 2024

• WXV 2024 Details Confirmed – WXV 3 Heads Back To Dubai.
• Guide To The Asia Rugby 2024 International Tournaments.
• Pacific Nations Cup 2024 Explained.
• JRFU Fixtures 2024 – Brave Blossoms, Japan XV, Sakura XV.