Jebel Ali Dragons and Dubai Hurricanes go head to head in the Sport360° UAE Premiership this weekend, but the return of former Dragons head coach Ross Mills is what could add fuel to the fire in this top-two clash.
Dragons are unbeaten under new player/coaches Murray Strang and Sean Crombie, while Canes and Mills will be looking to secure a place in the Gulf Top Six and the Premiership final.
Mills wants his Canes to build on returning to winning ways last week, a 19-0 victory over Xodus Wasps, made all the more impressive by playing for 75 minutes with 14 men.
“It would be nice to get back-to-back wins but it’s the Dragons and they’re champions,” said Mills.
With the 47-year-old returning to his former stamping ground and Canes looking to consolidate second spot in the league, he claims no-one needs motivating.
Mills led Dragons to a second successive treble of the Dubai Sevens, UAE Premiership and ARFU West Asia Cup last season, but left by mutual consent in the summer.
“Of course it’s special (returning to Dragons), but it’s just another game, it’s not about me wanting to beat them,” he said.
“Of course it will be nice for me to get one over the Dragons and vice versa, but I want to win every game.”
He added: “I will look forward to going back and seeing Murray and some of the other guys I have good relationships with.”
He is calling on his talented attackers to match the performance levels of his forwards and defence against the Wasps last week. “I’ve got a brilliant set of three-quarters. They’re a match for any team but we haven’t set the world alight in attack yet this season.”
Canes are hampered by injuries to Alan Short (wrist) and winger Chris Smith (broken finger).
Ollie Delapp will be sidelined until Christmas with a knee injury, while full back Ricky Thomas aggravated an old knee injury in training on Monday and is being wrapped in cotton wool.
Strang, meanwhile, described Dragons and Canes as “the two leading lights in Dubai” and is looking for his players to maintain momentum. “Should we win, we’ll be in a great position to seal one of the two places in the Premiership final,” said the Scotsman.
“It’s a derby game and always keenly contested. We’re expecting the same again,” he added.
Dragons’ most high profile absentee is South African full-back Andy Russell.
“Andy tore his hamstring and he’s one of our go-to guys, but Ian Overton and Ross Samson come back in. They’re great players, so they give us a great boost,” said Strang.
The Glaswegian is looking forward to a reunion with his former coach. “For us, it’s business as usual, there’s no extra motivation; but lots of people will be delighted to see Ross before and after the game. “He’ll have them fired up but most teams who face us are like that, they want to knock us down a peg or two, so Friday won’t be any different for us.”