Japan coach John Kirwan joined former Scotland boss Frank Hadden in leading clinics for 50 schoolchildren on Thursday morning as the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour continued its four-day series of activities in Dubai.

Kirwan has enjoyed the highs of rugby, finishing as the joint-top try scorer as New Zealand won the first Rugby World Cup in 1987 and coaching Japan at France 2007.

However, the former winger showed his enthusiasm for spreading the game at the grassroots level when he and Hadden gave youngsters from Al Shafie Primary School and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Secondary School a taste of world-class coaching at Al Safa Sports Hall, a day before his Japan side took on the UAE in their televised HSBC Asian 5 Nations clash.

“It’s very hot here at this time of year, so we’ve coached the kids indoors and this version of the game seems very popular. They responded well to the drills we developed for them and seem to have a genuine appetite for the game,” said Kirwan, who in March launched this year’s HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour with fellow All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu in Hong Kong.

“Rugby in the UAE has traditionally been spearheaded by expatriates, so it has been rewarding to help the game grow in local schools and communities with the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour, which is dedicated to developing the game at all levels, all across Asia.”

Japan coach John Kirwan introduces rugby to local students as part of the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour

Japan are playing the UAE for the first time since the creation of the new national association, having enjoyed home wins over the former Arabian Gulf in HSBC Asian 5 Nations matches in 2008 and last year.

As Kirwan returned his attention to his ‘Brave Blossoms’, Frank Hadden led a clinic on Friday morning for U-14 players at the Dubai Exiles Rugby Football Club.

“I came to Dubai last year with the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour and I really liked what I saw, so it’s great to come again to witness the continued enthusiasm for this great game of ours,” said Hadden, who coached Scotland from 2005 to 2009.

“There is real potential for growth here, especially in the Arab community and we are delighted to try to assist with development at all levels.”

Hadden spearheaded the inaugural HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour last year following his four-year stint with Scotland and this year he has again been leading the bulk of activity along with Ismail Kadir, Development Officer for ARFU (Asian Rugby Football Union) and a former Singapore centre.

The Tour’s activity in the UAE started on Tuesday with a session for Al Marif Secondary School for Boys in Rashidiya, Deira, while Hadden and Kadir conducted a teachers’ workshop in Salahuddin Sports Hall in Bur Dubai on Wednesday.

Dean Herewini of the HSBC Penguin International Coaching Academy with a local student in Dubai this week

Dean Herewini, representing the HSBC Penguin International Coaching Academy, was part of the coaching staff for Thursday’s sessions and was part of Friday’s clinic for the Dubai Exiles youngsters.

Division IV is also being held at The Sevens this week and on Friday evening the third place playoff between Uzbekistan and Jordan and the final between Lebanon and Qatar both kick off at 6.00pm before the UAE host Japan at 8.00pm.

Abdulfattah Sharaf, CEO of HSBC UAE, said: “Today we were delighted to see the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour continue its widespread activities in the UAE for the week, and we’re happy that it returned to build on its excellent work here in Dubai last year.

“The HSBC Asian 5 Nations enables the world’s local bank to engage with the local community and at the same time, the coaching programme is designed to inspire the next generation of rugby players.”

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After an astonishing performance at the Altus Kowloon RugbyFest last year, (they finished Plate Runners-up) Rwanda’s rugby players return to Hong Kong next week focused on winning a trophy to cap a remarkable 12 months for the sport in their country.

They will also undertake another IRB coaching course and train with elite teams who will be in town for Hong Kong’s famous Rugby Week.

“Our first visit to Hong Kong in 2010 was very much an eye-opener and a steep learning curve for the boys,” said captain Djuma-Adams Mugabo, one of 11 players returning from last year.

“We are better prepared this time and now we know the standard required to compete with the best teams at RugbyFest. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Rwanda won admirers on and off the pitch during their first visit to Hong Kong – a historic trip that had huge benefits for rugby back in the East African country.

More young players have taken up the sport as a result of the positive publicity and playing kit and equipment donated by Hong Kong clubs has been put to good use.

Two of Scotland’s top coaches – former national team coach Frank Hadden and Scottish Rugby Union referee development manager Colin Brett – visited the country last November to conduct a series of clinics. The duo’s visit was organised by the famous Penguins Coaching Academy, which provides tuition clinics at rugby backwaters all over the world.

Former Scotland coach Frank Hadden (Pic: PA/The Telegraph)

More good news arrived last month when the Rwandan Rugby Federation at last secured a home pitch, taking out a three-year lease on a playing field belonging to a school in the capital, Kigali.

“This is a huge step forward,” said Hong Kong-born rugby enthusiast and Rwanda volunteer worker Dave Hughes, organiser of the Silverbacks’ Hong Kong tours.

“Securing a dedicated pitch is a direct result of the expansion rugby is undergoing in Rwanda and the Hong Kong tours are driving this. With continued investment, we are putting in place development programmes designed to give the game a solid base and build it up from the grassroots.”

One player who has benefited directly from last year’s Hong Kong trip is captain Mugabo, who grew up homeless on the streets of Kigali, selling cigarettes for a living, before taking up rugby.

An anonymous benefactor who read his inspiring tale stepped forward to fund his further education, meaning the Silverbacks skipper was able to start college last September.

The five newcomers to the Rwandan squad for this year’s tour are Jean-Baptist Itanzi, Felix Nsengimana, Sylvain Nkurunziza, Kevin Makmot and Enock Muhire.

“The tour is due reward for the commitment and enthusiasm these young players have shown and it will be a fantastic rugby and cultural experience for them,” added Hughes.

The Silverbacks’ 2011 tour is being funded by the sponsorship from CB Richard Ellis, G4S, Woodland Pre-Schools and Emboss Capital.

“Once again the Hong Kong rugby community has been extremely generous and welcoming,” said Hughes. “Numerous companies and individuals are contributing to make the tour happen.”

After playing in the tournament, the Rwandan squad will once again be spectators at the famous Hong Kong Sevens from 25-27 March.

The Altus Kowloon RugbyFest will take place at King’s Park on Wednesday 23 March and will feature 16 teams from around the world.

With the Hong Kong Sevens 2010 and Hugh Bladen’s appearance at the SAAHK’s Sevens Dinner fast approaching,  I was planning to introduce all our readers to a blog called “Over to Hugh.”  Run by two very enterprising young blokes called “Blades” and “Chowgaps,” Over to Hugh parodies the famous South African commentator using everything from the real Blades’ love for a good Scotch to his trademark words and phrases. 

Catch Hugh Bladen at the SAAHK’s Sevens Dinner in March 2010.

However, in the light of the sad passing of “the voice of rugby” Mr Bill MCLaren last month, a video on their website made me decide to use this opportunity to give you a sneak preview of “Over to Hugh” while paying tribute to the great Scotsman.

William Pollock “Bill” McLaren CBE (16 October 1923 – 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator. Until his retirement in 2002, he was known as ‘the voice of rugby’. Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and a memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many rugby lovers the world over.

Here’s to you Bill McLaren.

Farewell.