Dubai Tuskers to represent Sri Lankans in UAE League

Dubai Tuskers RFC, a Sri Lankan-rooted rugby club based in the United Arab Emirates, is preparing to take part in the UAE Rugby League competition, carrying the spirit, passion and pride of the Sri Lankan community onto one of the region’s growing rugby stage.

Founded by Dayan Diddeniya, the club has rapidly grown within UAE rugby, driven by a vision of creating opportunities for Sri Lankan and multinational rugby players living in Dubai while building a strong community-centered sporting culture.

Bob Goodwin is the head coach.

The club first entered the UAE rugby spotlight in 2023 under the name “Royal Tuskers” during the prestigious Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens. 

The team made history by becoming the first-ever Sri Lankan alumni side to compete in the Gulf Men’s Social League competition.

In 2024 the Royal Tuskers achieved another historic milestone by winning the Gulf Men’s Social Plate Championship at the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens. The triumph marked the club’s first major trophy and showcased the rapid growth and development of the squad within a short period of time. Following this success, Diddeniya introduced a broader vision for the future of the club. With the ambition of creating more opportunities for both Sri Lankan and other nationality rugby players in Dubai, the organisation was officially rebranded from Royal Tuskers to Dubai Tuskers RFC.