Bermuda's national rugby team, under new coach Peter Shillingford, are gearing up for what is arguably their biggest ever challenge -- this fall's World Cup qualifying matches.

Thirty-eight of the Island's top players have been turning up regularly for training sessions each Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, in preparation for October's game against Trinidad in Bermuda and then a battle against Chile's national team in Santiago two weeks later.

"We have also arranged some pre World Cup games for next month,'' said Shillingford.

"Seven NATO forces ships are coming to Bermuda with a 12,000 contingent, and we have also managed to arrange a couple of games with them on September 6.'' added the coach.

Following that weekend, a squad of 25 will fly to Canada to play games against a side from Niagara as the World Cup build-up continues.

Shillingford, national coach for a mere six weeks following Kieron Peacock's return to England, is proud of the team's hard work so far.

"The boys are really very committed,'' he said. "Everybody has been turning up to practices. There has been a really good response.

"We could use all the local support we can get at the games, especially against Trinidad on October 5.'' Apart from an injury to Alan Oliver which required surgery, the squad is healthy with no major injury problems, said Shillingford.

For the past month training has primarily been fitness orientated, with the coach working on aerobic strength, endurance and speed. But now with four weeks remaining before their first game, emphasis will be shifted to the more technical aspects of the game.

"Rugby's getting a very high profile around the world. It's not just a game for the south of England any more,'' added Shillingford. "There is really a lot at stake for Bermuda.'' The World Cup games could culminate with an appearance in the finals in Wales in 1998.

"But our performance in the two games against Trinidad and Chile will determine whether or not we will make it into the third qualifying group,'' stressed the coach.