Exiles' hopes of a first Arabian Gulf League title in three years have been significantly boosted by the appointment of Mark Butterfield as coach.
A former fly-half with English clubs Northampton and Rosslyn Park, the 46-year-old also coached the Middlesex County squad and worked for the Saracens Academy before moving to Dubai over the summer as commercial director for MBC.
Exiles chairman Steve Blackburn said: "I promised the club I would find a coach and I've been lucky to find a good one.
"We wanted a non-player, someone on the sidelines who can make the changes as they see fit, and Mark fits the bill perfectly. Martin Southern has also been working as our speed and fitness coach, and the numbers at training have been very good.
"We're excited at the prospect of a new season, and one challenge is to make sure that we can give everyone a game."
Despite the summer slowdown it's been a busy period for Dubai-based clubs preparing for the start of the new league season on September 15.
The Hurricanes, too, have a new coach in the shape of Welshman Steve Holohan, another recent arrival in the Gulf. It has also been decided to move homes from Dubai Country Club across the road to the Exiles which now accommodates all three Dubai-based clubs.
The Hurricanes are coming to terms with the loss of flanker Jason Brown. The Gulf international was a vital driving force and immense presence in last season's surprise third-place finish.
The club will also be without Owen Henry for the entire campaign after the centre was badly injured in a climbing accident during the summer.
New skipper Chris Gregory said: "Jason was the kind of player who brought every one up to his level so we're going to miss him.
"But we've been training well through the summer and I think we have a good chance again this year."
Champions Dubai Dragons, meanwhile, have lost Gulf international full-back/winger Nicolas de Marco who returns to the Exiles after a spell of two years.
