Team Barney went live and direct to the Emirates Dubai 7s for the very first time. This fantastic group of chaps paid to play to help raise our bursary and international profile, and make new connections. Nothing prepares you for the heat, the pace, the noise, the sheer scale of it all, but they rose to every challenge. From early-morning kick-offs to late-evening analysis, from bruises and sunburn and sore shoulders to the unforgettable thrill of stepping onto an international pitch, they learned quickly what it means to compete at this level. It is a test of character, resilience, and ambition played out under the desert sun and global spotlight as well as the networking and business development aspect. We all left with tired bodies but very full hearts. Getting to spend a week with international vets, too, who we got to laugh with, train and shared a drink with was an experience none of us will forget. This is the thing that has moved us the most, the sense of community, OBs who were willing to fly out from all over the world to support this, to pay to play, carry water, to buy drinks and protein bars, carry kit and lift up each other. We saw about 70 this week! This won't be their last Dubai 7s. It's just the beginning, and the foundations laid this year will echo far beyond the final whistle. I am so grateful to OB and Coach Lee Dickson and Martin Pepper who supported back at base and encouraged, cheered, and believed in this and contacted players. To our fantastic OB Players, Ross Body, Tom Hall, Tom Edwards, Matthew Raper, Rhys Jenkins, Euan Metcalf, Louis Peacock and last but not least OB Thea Thompson, winning her category too! Here is to a whole team of OB girls in attendance soon! Proud is an absolute understatement! Barney is the best!