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 Gulf Top Six this season.

This week we spoke to Abu Dhabi Harlequins full-back Patrick Hegarty about his funniest experience in rugby and his greatest achievement in the sport.

Height:

Weight:
84kg

Position:
Full-back 

Age:
31

Born:
Townsville, Australia

Years in the UAE:
Five

Honours:
Represented UAE XVs and sevens Gulf Top Six, UAE Premiership

Favourite childhood memory of rugby:
Getting my picture in the paper with John Eales

Favourite player growing up:
Stephen Larkham

Rugby team you support:
Queensland Reds

Best current international player:
Quade Cooper, he sticks it to Richie McCaw and has ridiculous Instagram pictures

Rule in the game you would change:
I would eliminate scrums because props are a waste of time.

Best game you’ve ever seen:
Pretty much every time the Wallabies beat the English but also when New Zealand recently beat Ireland 24-22.

Toughest opponent in UAE:
Andy Russell, in space he’s the most dangerous player for me.

Funniest moment in your rugby career:
Chris Griffiths-Jones swann-dived against Doha on the weekend, it was more like a Killer whale leap.

Greatest achievement in any sport:
Representing Queensland Country and the UAE.

Another sport you’d like to play professionally:
Darts, because you can do what you want and still turn up for training.

Favourite meal:
Ice cream with chocolate cake mashed into it.