Dubai Sharks received a rude awakening to life in UAE rugby league last week, but chairman Mike Quinn insists the team have not been deterred.

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Their 70-14 defeat at the hands of defending Nissan Rugby League Cup champions Abu Dhabi Harlequins has had quite the opposite effect, after Quinn reported that 30 players trained this week. They face Al Ain Amblers at Zayed Sports City on Friday (Kick-off 17:00).

Keleto Dyer’s side are also nursing a defeat on the opening night of the season, albeit a highly entertaining 48-34 loss to Xodus Wasps.

“We’re not daunted by the task facing us despite our rude awakening last week. The guys are up for it,” insists Quinn.

“Last week we had our eyes opened and the guys know what they need to do. We had 30 players at training on Monday, which was fantastic, and confidence is high that we have enough experience from last week to change it around.

“They know what went wrong and we go into the game against Al Ain knowing we can beat them.”

Prop Humam Alzaain is out and will be replaced by fellow Emirati Karim El Mourabet, while Sharks’ union captain Alan Robertson will come in at centre.

Despite putting 34 points on the board against Wasps last week and coming up against a team thrashed by Quins, Amblers head coach Dyer is not taking anything for granted.

“Training’s been good and it’s been good to see numbers coming back after a tough game,” said Dyer. “We won’t be taking anything for granted. They might be newbies but they’ve got talent that we don’t know of.”