Today didn't really get off to the start we all intended. Let's put it this way - there are a few essentials needed to play rugby.

A ball and a pitch, and unfortunately one of those happened to have been left in the hotel. A quick U-turn turned into a sightseeing tour of the Palm, which has to be said is a very unique place.

Just to clarify something Vinny wrote yesterday: I didn't get in a fight with the Dutch (Women's Sevens squad) per se, and the fish was stuck so I think I saved a life...thank you very much.

While the day got off to a ropey start, the lads were treated to fantastic hospitality when we returned from training.

The 'Dynamos', the tournament's official cheerleaders, met up with ourselves, and IRFU President John Lyons, for a 'quick' snap which certainly seemed to brighten up a few of the younger members of the squad

Training has been fantastic all week. I really feel that we have come on leaps and bounds over the past few weeks and hope that tomorrow we will be able to show that we are not just here to make up the numbers.

It has been a fantastic experence all round and the fact that all the squads are here in this fantastic hotel has been a new experience for all of us.

We kick off tomorrow just after 6pm local time and everyone is dying to get out on the pitch to get the tournament started. We are underdogs and complete unknowns to all here, but that's not always a bad thing.

Coverage of the tournament's opening games is available online or live on Setanta Sports Ireland from 1.05pm today.

Related Links -

Dubai Blog - Day 3

Dubai Blog - Day 2

Dubai Blog - Day 1

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