With the UAE rugby scene rapidly growing in popularity, Sport360° decided that it was time to learn a bit more about the players lighting up the sport on a regular basis. 

This week we spoke to full-back Andy Russell of the Jebel Ali Dragons about his favourite childhood memories of rugby and his toughest opponent in the UAE. 

Height: 5’ 9”

Weight: 80kg

Position: Full-back / fly-half

Age: 29

From: Johannesburg, South Africa

Years in UAE: Five

Honours: Gulf Top Six, UAE Premiership, four Sevens trophies

Favourite childhood memory of rugby? Playing for my school first team, we often had crowds of 5,000

Favourite player growing up? Andre Joubert

Rugby team you support? The Stormers

Who do you think is currently the best international player and why? Dan Carter, because of the way he controls games

Is there a rule in the game you would change? I would change scrum pens to free-kicks.

The best game you ever saw? 1995 World Cup final

Toughest opponent faced in UAE rugby? Renier Els

Funniest moment in your career? Playing for the British and Irish legends against South Africa legends out here because of the Ash cloud. It was strange but good

Greatest achievement in any sport? I played under-19 cricket for South Africa and toured with Blue Bulls sevens side

If you could be a professional in any other sport what would it be and why? It would have to be golf. It would be a dream to play all day every day

Favourite meal? My wife’s homemade pizza

Favourite place in the UAE? The Els Club