Previous editions were held at the Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground.

[1] Following the tournament, the team and its governing body, the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union, disbanded in order to facilitate a major reorganisation of the sport in the region.

As announced by the International Rugby Board in 2009, the AGRFU is being replaced by new national governing bodies in each of the union's member countries.

The top two teams from each group progressed to quarter-finals in the main competition, with the winners of those quarter-finals competed in cup semi-finals and the losers competed in plate semi-finals.

The bottom two teams from each group progressed to quarter-finals in the consolation competition, with the winners of those quarter-finals competed in bowl semi-finals and the losers competed in shield semi-finals.