The UAE Rugby Federation has confirmed that the Sport360° UAE Premiership final between Dubai Hurricanes and Abu Dhabi Harlequins will be held this Friday, October 31.

Canes secured their place in Friday’s showpiece by thrashing city rivals Exiles last weekend, while Quins’ route to the final has been nothing short of miraculous.

After losing their first two games, Quins won three in succession to set up a date with Canes.

Their appearance though owes much to Saracens, who consigned reigning champions Jebel Ali Dragons to successive defeats with a 22-6 win last Friday.

Canes will probably be slight favourites, given that the final will be at their home ground of 7he Sevens. Kick-off is at 19:00.

Talismanic player/coach Jeremy Manning will play for Quins despite an invitation to play at the Singapore Sevens.

The New Zealander is set to be without talented Emirati winger Adel Al Hendi though, who is scheduled to play for the UAE Sevens’ side in the Asian 7’s at Al Ain.

The tournament, taking place over Friday and Saturday, is an Olympic qualifier for developing unions involving six teams. “I think he should be playing in the final on Friday. How many opportunities do young players get to play in the biggest game in UAE rugby,” said Manning.

“I can also see the other side of the argument. He is the best UAE sevens player.”

Manning is excited about the game and said: “People had written us off after two games and were even saying we wouldn’t make the Gulf Top Six. To be where we are now is fantastic.”

Canes’ coach Ross Mills said: “One of the things we set ourselves at the start of the season was to win some silverware and we’ve got a chance to do that, but Quins have done exactly what we’ve done.”