Special Features
Rugby icons jet into Dubai for Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens Long Lunch
Two of the greatest names in rugby history, Colin Meads and Willie John McBride, have touched down in Dubai for one of the most eagerly anticipated lunches of the year. The annual Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens Long Lunch marks the official countdown to the city’s favourite sporting and social occasion. And this year the over 700-strong crowd who will gather at Crowne Plaza, Festival City, will be entertained by the reminiscences and recollections of All Black legend Meads and Irish icon Mcbride.The fierce on-pitch rivalry between these Northern and Southern hemisphere forwards during the 1960s has become legendary and those attending the Long Lunch will be treated to some great on-stage banter, with 1974 10,000m Commonwealth Games gold medallist Dick Tayler added to the mix as MC for the event.
“It is a great honour to be welcoming two of the greatest players to have graced a rugby field, Colin Meads and Willie John McBride, to the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens Long Lunch,” said Gary Chapman, President Group Services and Dnata, Emirates Group.
“I have no doubt that this will be a wonderful afternoon of great entertainment and what better way could there be to start the official countdown to the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, which takes place from December 3-5 this year? As a great fan of the game myself, I am relishing the opportunity of meeting two men who are considered some of the finest rugby players of all time.” he added.
Apart from the on-stage entertainment, the afternoon’s proceedings will also include a quiz, raffle and auction, with all proceeds from the event going to two charities – the PRA (Professional Rugby Players Association) and Wooden Spoon (supporting mentally, physically and socially disadvantaged children and young people).
