Sevens is globalising the game of rugby, and the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens is "as good as it gets", according to a team of legends who will be taking part in the Invitation Tournament this week.
Martin Offiah, Andy Farrell, Dennis Betts and Paul Sculthorpe all made their name as world class rugby league players at club and international level in the 1990s, and they will all be turning out for the Joining Jack team that will be featuring in the International Veterans section.
With the support of Emirates, they came over lat year, and enjoyed themselves so much they are back this year. And while they are in town, they have also been putting on coaching clinics for local youngsters.
"We are all trying to roll back the years, and we obviously hope to win, but we're here to have fun and hopefully raise awareness of Joining Jack, a charity close to our hearts," said Offiah.
The charity was set up Andy Johnson - another member of the formidable Wigan team of the 1990s - to raise funds to research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an incurable illness from which Johnson's five-year-old son Jack was diagnosed with two years ago.
Said Offiah: "We really appreciate the support of Emirates, and of the goodwill of so many people, and it means a lot to be raising awareness of this illness.
"We also feel really excited at being involved with this fantastic Sevens tournament in Dubai, which as an event is as good as it gets.
"I love Sevens, I actually made my breakthrough into the professional ranks thanks to being spotted in a Sevens tournament, so I have a big soft spot for the game," he said. "Sevens is also great because it open up rugby to new audiences, and it's great to see Kenya, for instance, doing so well.
"Sevens will be a big hit at the Olympics in 2016 - it's a fantastic spectator sport, but also the fans make the events so colourful with their fancy dress outfits, and not forgetting their passionate support."
For more about Joining Jack, go to www.joiningjack.org
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