A DERBYSHIRE rugby player has won a competition to take part in a top international tournament in front of a 50,000-strong crowd.

Dave Trubee, 38, is used to being watched by just 10 or 15 people when he plays for club side Ripley Rhinos.

But, next month, he will be taking part in a sevens tournament – the Gulf Vets Trophy – in Dubai, alongside former England rugby union internationals like Austin Healy, Tim Stimpson and Will Greenwood.

The contest is taking place at the same time as a full international rugby sevens tournament and its final will be played in between games in the main competition.

This means that the massive crowd gathered for the full international games will also be able to watch Dave in action.

He won his place after entering a competition in Rugby World Magazine to join the squad.

Dave has been playing rugby for 15 years with the Ripley Rhinos and will play in the team's back line at the international tournament.

He said: "The quality of the players around me will help. Everyone else in the team is an ex-international and we'll be watched by thousands of people at every game.

"I think I'll stand out in my own team – though I might get away with it depending on the quality of the opposition.

"I'll probably be targeted within about two seconds as they realise I'm not an international."

Dave, who is flying out to Dubai today, said he had become "good friends" with his local gym since he found out he was playing.

He said: "If I'd known six months ago that I was going I might just about have been able to get myself fit enough. I've done a lot of work in two weeks, though."

He said the Rhinos team were jealous of his opportunity but that his Dubai demeanour would be different to when he played in Derbyshire.

Dave, a project at manager at Derbyshire County Council, said: "I'm known as quite a loud person generally but I will be keeping very quiet out in Dubai.

"I don't think the other players will need the benefit of my experience and coaching."

Dave's sevens team was organised by the Christina Noble Children's Foundation, which also ran the magazine contest.

The charity helps children who, for example, need emergency and long-term medical care. It raises cash for its work through sponsorship of the Christina Noble Veterans – Dave's team – and donations from the people of Dubai.

The Gulf Vets Trophy will feature clubs from as far afield as Luxembourg, Kenya, Nigeria, Indonesia, Russia and Wales.