Previous winners and current champions, the Camels, a team built from students across schools in Jeddah, are keen to reinforce their position and will in any event cement the establishment of rugby at a junior level in the Kingdom.

Each member of the team now receives official recognition from the Rugby League European Federation as a junior international player although the team does not officially represent the Kingdom. This will only happen if and when the Saudi authorities respond positively to approaches from players and schools to make rugby an official sport.

The two teams have met a total of six times, with the Camels winning four of them. “Even so, the outcome of the match is certainly not a foregone conclusion either way,” said Dave Kinkead head coach for the Camels. “Lebanon has a good coaching setup and some very tough players, some with university experience.”

He was, however, sanguine about repeating the team’s previous success and bringing home the trophy. “These guys are the result of the first four years of our rugby program  and are competent players. They will certainly go the distance in terms of fitness and commitment – no worries there!”

Team captain Hasan Zakzouk who has competed three times, last year as vice-captain, was very focused on the match. “It will be a tough game as usual but with our experience, our mental and physical preparation we are fielding the strongest team we have ever had,” he said.  “We know each other’s game styles and the experienced players will be creating opportunities for our new players.”

In their last practice match, under the watchful eyes of assistant coaches Wayne Stewart and Chris Stander, against a solid looking Under 16 team, the Camels showed a fluidity of play and team organization that has set a new benchmark in Saudi school rugby. It was thought Kinkead, the best team the schools program  has yet produced and unless Lebanon imports players, the Camels will be a hard match for Lebanon.

To boost the coaching input and rugby experience, the Camels are taking Hassan Sharbatly and Assad Al Shauier as assistant coaches.

Rugby has long been seen as an expatriate game; the four-year program  has radically altered the composition of teams both in junior and senior leagues. The current Camel squad, drawn from both Saudi and International schools in Jeddah is over 25 percent Saudi in composition.

The local game received a further boost with the success of Jeddah Rugby Football Club at the Dubai Sevens last December when their 50 percent Saudi squad produced an exceptional performance to land them as runners up in the Gulf Mens’ Trophy.

Kinkead hopes to send a team to the youth world championships in a few years. “The first outing would be something of a test for us, but given the two years time we have and the talent pool we can now draw on, there is very sound reason to hope that Saudi Arabia could be in the top 10 youth rugby nations in the world,” he said.

But first there is Lebanon on Friday 2:30 p.m. Beirut time.