As winter settles in across the region, it’s time to take stock of where each West Asia Premiership side stands — and what their form really looks like heading into the business end of the season.
The table tells part of the story: Bahrain unbeaten, Doha and the Exiles struggling, and a congested midfield where anyone can still surge or slip. But the narrative on the pitch is far more intriguing.
Bahrain – Unbeaten, but Not Untouchable
Six wins from six and sitting comfortably at the top, Bahrain are once again the benchmark. But unlike previous seasons, they don’t look quite as dominant. They’ve scraped through a couple of tight encounters, and the absence of Rory Drummond is a massive blow — one that may be felt even more as the season wears on.
They’re winning, yes, but they don’t feel invincible. After going undefeated last year only to fall short in the final, the big question remains: what needs to change for them to finish the job this time? Settling combinations, tightening discipline, and staying healthy will be crucial.
Abu Dhabi Harlequins – Contenders… If They Hold Their Nerve
The Harlequins occupy second place and have shown flashes of being genuine contenders. Their forward pack is powerful, the backline is clicking far better than last season, and on their day they can stretch any defence in the league.
But when the pressure rises late in matches, they occasionally unravel. Panic sets in, structure goes out the window, and they try to play their way out of trouble individually instead of trusting systems and teammates. If they sort out their late-game composure, they’re a real threat for the finals.
Dubai Hurricanes – Hot, Cold, and Capable of Anything
The Hurricanes started brightly before hitting turbulence with a couple of unexpected losses. A big win over the Exiles has nudged them back on track, and their gritty performance against Bahrain — plus their Dubai 7s triumph — could be the spark that fuels a proper resurgence.
However, they’re currently locked on points with both the Sharks and Dragons, and the middle of the table is absolutely up for grabs. Their biggest issue? The skill errors we didn’t see last season. The talent and coaching are there — whether the desire matches it is the question.
Dubai Sharks – Improving, but Yet to Prove Themselves Against the Top
The Sharks sit fourth with three wins and three losses, identical to the Hurricanes and Dragons. Their standout result was a strong win over the Canes, while victories over the Exiles and Doha were expected.
Against the league’s heavyweights, though, they’ve struggled. Harlequins dismantled them, and Bahrain and the Dragons both handed them losses. They’re definitely a stronger unit than last year but still have a fair climb if they plan on challenging for silverware.
Dubai Dragons – Searching for Consistency
Another side stuck at three wins and three losses, the Dragons haven’t quite met their own expectations. They’ve let winnable matches slip and were convincingly beaten on the road in Bahrain. Yet the pieces are there — talent, depth, physicality, and structure.
What they’re lacking is cohesion. When they figure out how those pieces fit together, they’re dangerous. A strong start to the new year is absolutely essential if they want to push for finals.
Dubai Exiles – A Tough Reset Year
It has been a season of growing pains for the Exiles, who are far more accustomed to the top half of the table than the basement. With so many senior players retired, injured, or moved on, they’ve been forced to blood younger talent.
Long-term, that’s brilliant. Short-term? It’s been brutal. Just one win so far — a shock at the time — and if they don’t turn things around immediately after the break, they may need to simply focus on development and look ahead to next year.
Doha – Fighting Familiar Battles
Doha, once again, find themselves at the bottom. They’ve picked up a single win but would have hoped for more, especially with several home fixtures early in the season. Travelling remains a challenge, and while they do have quality players, too many of their tries come from individual brilliance rather than structured team play.
The scrum and lineout need real improvement, and they must find a way to consistently win collisions and cross the gainline. Otherwise, the fight to avoid the wooden spoon will be a straight shoot-out between them and the Exiles.
The Top-Four Battle
With Bahrain clear at the summit, the real drama is between places two to five. Harlequins, Hurricanes, Sharks, and Dragons will be scrapping for those finals spots — and any one of them could still make a late charge. A single upset over Bahrain could shift the entire picture.
At the halfway point, one thing is certain: this Premiership season is still anyone’s to win.
