New Dubai Exiles director of rugby Jacques Benade is keen to stress his arrival is for the benefit of the entire club, not just the first team. The 45-year-old arrived in the UAE at the beginning of the month, having enjoyed a 15-year coaching career in Ireland.

The South African coached All-Ireland League side Malone RFC before moving on to Ballymena where he learnt from former British & Irish Lions legends Syd Miller and Willie John McBride.

Benade has come to Exiles with the aim of reversing the fortunes of the UAE’s most historic club, which has fallen on hard times in recent seasons. But despite his ultimate mission, Benade is at pains to point out his role as director of rugby encompasses far more than just the senior side.

“I’m meeting Toby Shore soon, the chairman of the mini and youth committee, and there is a lot of work I’d like to help out with there to grow that further,” he said.

“They’re doing excellent work there and I’m sure it is one of the best youth set-ups in the UAE, especially in Dubai. They had a team travelling to Northern Ireland earlier this year.

– #360Rugby: Samoa’s financial woes, UAE changes
– UAE: Kotze to reintroduce expats to sevens fold
– UAE: Byrne hoping Knights pre-season pays off
– England: Burgess set to take over in midfield

“They played against three of the country’s top schools and they competed with them really well. So, the standard of the young teams and the level of coaching here is very good.

“For me to come in and assist there will be magic. If I can come in there and work with the coaches, it will be brilliant for the club.”

Exiles finished fifth in the UAE Premiership last season, failing to qualify for the Gulf Top Six. They excelled in the post-Christmas Gulf Conference where they faced meagre opposition, such as Xodus Wasps, Kuwait and Muscat although.

At the Dubai Sevens, they made the quarter-finals of the Gulf Men’s League Trophy competition before being blown away 38-0 by champions Abu Dhabi Harlequins.