after the completion of the team's World Cup first round matches against Bahamas and Barbados.

Bermuda play Barbados at home on April 19, following the opening round clash against Bahamas in the Caribbean on March 22.

News of the departure of the respected and well-liked coach was received recently by Bermuda Rugby Football Union, who will probably name a replacement at their next meeting scheduled for early March.

The timing of Peacock's farewell during the midst of the first round may hamper the progress of the national team, but he hopes that his early notification will give the BRFU sufficient time to find somebody else.

Peacock, who has held the post since 1991, makes it clear, however, that it was the ending of his contract as a teacher at Saltus Grammar School and nothing else that prompted he and his family to return to England.

"It's probably a good time for us to move back to the UK from a family perspective, it's been a real joy and a tremendous experience and great honour being involved,'' he said yesterday.

He insisted that rugby had always been strong in Bermuda and admitted he was proud to have been instrumental in setting up tag rugby in the schools and writing a rugby curriculum for a middle and high school programme.

Such is Peacock's love for the sport that he is also willing to lend whatever help he can before departing in the summer.

"The proposal I made to the BRFU, which was accepted, was that I take the team through to the first round of the World Cup, then there will be a gradual handing over during that phase to whoever is appointed new coach,'' he noted.

"Naturally I will be happy to do some things for the union until departing in mid-summer.'' If Bermuda are successful in the first round of the World Cup the new coach will lead them into the second round against Trinidad and Tobago and Chile.

Both matches must be completed before the end of September.