productive one and not a mere `trip for the boys' according to coach Kieron Peacock.

Reacting to recent comments by Mid-Ocean News rugby columnist Roy Dunn who said the visit was "scarcely likely to augment playing standards in any way'' and equating it to a recent tour of Hong Kong which "did more for beer bellies than for elevating Bermuda's rugby esteem''.

But Peacock was firmly behind the tour, slated for March 17-22, which will see the local team playing two matches, the foremost being a February 20 showdown against a side representing the State of Florida.

"It's always good to give our players the chance to play against foreign opposition,'' said Peacock. "This is all part of our preparation for November's Caribbean Championships in Trinidad.

"Another thing is that we have to consider the accessibility of competition.

Obviously we would like to be able to go to the UK and play against higher quality teams, but taking into account the expense this is not always feasible.'' With regards to the standard Bermuda will encounter in the south-eastern most state, Peacock said it is close to the level played here and he expected very competitive matches, especially with the sport currently on the rise in North America.

Still Peacock views November's tournament as the true test for Bermuda.

"The Caribbean is still the yardstick for Bermuda,'' said Peacock. "How we play against the Island teams gives us a gauge of our level, that is the main competition we're looking at.'' Joining Peacock and his team in Florida are a Bermuda Second XV select who are set to engage in a tournament at Cocoa Beach.

On a broader scale Bermuda has been drawn against the US in the first round of qualifying for the World Cup.

This will be a daunting task and the Bermuda Rugby Football Union are said to be still debating whether or not to formally enter.

Also two incoming tours have been planned for April against North American squads.

Team: G.Davis, A.Oliver, S.DeMello, A.Harvey, A.Simons, M.Gorman, S.Kelly, P.Heaney, D.Faries, W.Tehima, N.Alexander, D.Cook, B.McNiven, D.Cozens, D.Hurdle, A.Corbutt, A.Redmond, S.Field, R.Rastrick, T.Walsh, A.Cupidor, P.Cooper. Reserves: M.Vink, J.Jones, P.Bryan, K.Garside, G.Cocorren, D.Bird, D.Nash.

KIERON PEACOCK.