The Arabian Gulf are to kick off the Asian Region qualifying campaign for the 2007 World Cup with a home clash against China in Dubai on Friday April 8.
A total of 13 teams are chasing one automatic place in the star-studded line-up in France while one side will go through to a repechage round and a play-off against an Oceania qualifier for the chance to take part in the sixth World Cup finals.
Teams in the Asian region will play round-robin matches in groups which represent the first stage of the qualifying process.
There are two further rounds of divisional games as winning teams continue to progress towards securing seats on the plane to France.The Gulf's opening game in Division II against China will take place at the Dubai Exiles while a match will follow in Taiwan against Chinese Taipei on May 20.
The winner of this group will advance to the second round which will involve a total of six teams in two divisions with three sides then going through to the third and final qualifying stage from which the one automatic qualifer will emerge.
Darryl Weir, the Gulf's head of rugby, said: "We're very excited by the prospect of these games and honoured that we will be at the heart of this long campaign to find qualifiers from the Asian region for France 2007.
"These games are going to be very difficult for us. China have improved greatly in recent seasons while we know all about Chinese Taipei after they knocked us out of the qualifying tournament in Sri Lanka for the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in Hong Kong.
"But we will be aiming to make the most of home advantage in Dubai and to build from there."
Weir added: "These games will be career highlights for everyone involved, and we're really hoping that rugby spectators in the emirates will come to Dubai and get behind the team.
"The clash with China will be the first home international we have staged in Dubai for four years since we beat Hong Kong. The crowd made a big difference that day and we're hoping that people will once again turn out to support us."
Asian qualifying schedule
Division I: Korea, Japan, Hong Kong.
Division II: Chinese Taipei, China, Arabian Gulf.
Division IIIA: Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand.
Division IIIB: Kazakhstan, Malaysia, India, Guam.
Initial match schedule
April 8: Arabian Gulf v China, Dubai
April 30: China v Chinese Taipei, Kunming
May 8: Japan v Hong Kong, Tokyo
May 15: Korea v Japan, Seoul
May 20: Chinese Taipei v Arabian Gulf, Keelung
May 22: Hong Kong v Korea, Hong Kong
June 4: Thailand v Sri Lanka, Bangkok
June 4: India v Kazakhstan, Mumbai
June 8: Kazakhstan v Malaysia, Mumbai
June 11: India v Malaysia, Mumbai
June 11: Singapore v Thailand, Singapore
June 18: Guam v India, Guam
June 22; Kazakhstan v Guam, Almaty
June 25: Sri Lanka v Singapore, Colombo
June 26: Malaysia v Guam, Kuala Lumpur