Bahrain will host Jordan on May 23, 2025, to play their men’s national team’s first-ever test match. Although Bahrain will be making their test debut, the match will not have any impact on World Rugby rankings as the hosts are not a full member of World Rugby. The match means so much more than that, though.
Feature Photo Credit – Bahrain Rugby Federation
Bahrain’s director of rugby is Rory Drummond, a role he has held since January 2023. He told us in an expansive interview, “To be able to come into the fifteens set up now is just really exciting. Our team is more set for fifteens as opposed to sevens, and we’ve got a few larger boys. So I think the skill set alone has only got so far, but now we’re able to kind of exert our physical game a little bit more in that aspect, which is quite exciting.”
All of Bahrain’s squad come from the only rugby club in the Kingdom, the Bahrain Rugby Football Club, and Adam Wallace has been named as captain for this historic match, with Alastair Crombie his vice-captain.
Photo Credit – Jordan Rugby
Drummond told us, “Adam Wallace, for those that don’t know, has probably been the biggest contributor to rugby development within Bahrain. He’s now been a resident for just over 10 years, and he’s led the club team to championships as a player, and he’s also led the club to championships as a coach.
So to have him as captain is just a no-brainer. He’s effectively like having another coach on the pitch who brings a wealth of experience, and he’s still got a lot to offer as a player. I’m excited to see him come out and really get his teeth stuck into it.
Alistair Crombie is the Bahrain club captain, and again, it was a no-brainer that he transfers over and leads the pack and line out going into that international match.”
This will be Jordan’s first test since they beat Lebanon in a home-and-away series in May 2023. Jordan lost the first match in that series 29-5 in Amman but then avenged that loss with a 10-0 victory away in Sidon. Jordan are coached by Koki Hammouqa.
Bahrain Men’s Squad vs Jordan – May 2025
Jordan Men’s Squad vs Bahrain – May 2025
How To Watch Bahrain vs Jordan Men’s XV Test 2025
The test match against Jordan will be played on Friday, 23rd May 2025 and will be hosted at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club facilities. The match will be free to attend but will also be streamed via the club’s social media pages.
Drummond said, “This is the kind of launch for us, and we want to use this as a kick-off for rugby in the country. We really want to inspire local Bahraini kids, as well as expat kids who will spend their time here and become eligible themselves. It is important for us to really make a bit of noise with this fixture and to gain some momentum going forward.”
The historic match will be livestreamed here.
Asian Test Match Rugby News 2025
- JAPAN XV 2025 Squad Announced for NZU, HKCR and Māori All Blacks Fixtures.
- Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship 2025 – Your Definitive Guide.
- Rory Drummond – Bahrain Director of Rugby – “It’s About Making The Right Noise, The Right Backing, Taking The Opportunity, And Then Delivering”.
- Hong Kong China Men Will Play Sri Lanka at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground For AREMC 2025.
Trending Now
The Best Social 2025 Rugby Tournaments In Asia
