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Rugby qualifiers finally announced

Bermuda?s rugby side have finally been told who they will face in this year?s World Cup qualifiers and when ? although where still remains a mystery.

After months of stalling by international organisers, it has now been announced that Bobby Hurdle?s men will take on Cayman, the Bahamas and Jamaica in a northern Caribbean round-robin qualifying tournament in June.

No one has yet stepped forward to host the week-long event, although Bermuda will definitely not host the event for geographical reasons.

Victory in the group, which is certainly a possibility, would see the Island side then take on the winners of the southern section at a neutral venue ? expected to be the US ? for a place in the ?Group of Death? against the USA and Canada.

?I think we can expect to advance through the first round, there are some decent teams in there but we have a great chance,? said Bermuda Rugby Football Union president Dave Worsfold.

?We would probably end up against Trinidad in a qualifier, and again that would be a game we would be looking to win.

?If we do get that far, we wouldn?t be expecting to escape from the Group of Death but would certainly want to put up the best possible display against the region?s powerhouses.?

In preparation for the June event, the national side are expected to make two long weekend trips to the US or Canada ? ?one flight journeys? ? in April and May for practice games against club sides.

?Obviously it will be good for us to get in a couple of games,? added Worsfold.

?The national side haven?t played an international since Cayman in the 2003 rugby Classic but we have a strong side with some good youngster?s coming through.?

The next event for local rugby with an international flavour is the annual Sevens tournament on March 26 where UK touring side Guanos, from the Midlands and including at least one Super 12 player, will take on the domestic sides and a possible Irish international side in the short-form of the game.