The Bermuda Under-19 rugby team will be eyeing a perfect start today when they play two pool matches at the Americas North tournament in Querétaro, Mexico.

Bermuda, who finished runners-up last year, are coached by Alex Cupidore and Chris Naylor and will face the host nation before they face Cayman Islands. The results of those two 40-minute matches will determine who Bermuda play on the final day of the tournament on Saturday.

While 12 of the 19 players in the Bermuda squad have not tasted international action previously, Cupidore says that the youngsters have a burning desire to make the island proud.

“We’re proud to be back at the RAN Championships representing Bermuda,” the coach said.

“This year’s team is younger, but incredibly eager to make their mark. After a long journey, we spent two days acclimating to the altitude and heat, sharpening our focus and building cohesion before the first whistle on Wednesday.

“We’re a squad of 19 with only five of last year’s players returning. Our training session on Monday was a combination of fun games, hard tackling and extreme fitness as we push them hard together as a team, as well as show them their strengths and weaknesses.

“We had another session on Tuesday and we’re looking forward to pitting ourselves against Mexico in the opening game on Wednesday.”

Naylor is excited to face Mexico at the start of the tournament, as they did last year when triumphing 17-10.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge that Mexico brings,” he said.

“We feel confident to have Mexico up first because in previous years they seemed to get better as the tournament went on, so we’re hoping to catch them early.

“We play Cayman later on in the day. I think they’re in a similar position to us with a young team, so that’ll be a good measure of where we’re at.

“I have great confidence in our players. They've gelled well and they're a good bunch of young men who play for each other.”

Brandon Sangster and his brother, Dylan, Nyindae Smith, Daniel Kunst and Sam Jenkins are the players retained from last year.

The matches in Mexico also serve as crucial preparation for the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay, where the island is fielding an under-20 team in the sevens format. Smith and the Sangster brothers are also part of the team heading to Paraguay.

“With several players expected to compete in both tournaments, the back-to-back international fixtures offer a valuable opportunity to build continuity,” the Bermuda Rugby Football Union said.

“This sharpens match fitness and strengthens long-term player retention in Bermuda’s national programme.”

Bermuda put on a great display in the tournament a year ago. They picked up three wins and suffered one defeat in the five-team round-robin, which saw them face USA South in the final.

“We’re not taking anything for granted,” Cupidore said. “Last year was a tremendous achievement for Bermuda, but every year presents new challenges. We’re here to compete, learn and represent our island with pride.”

Meanwhile, the BRFU has expressed its appreciation to CG Insurance, the team’s sponsors.

“The Bermuda Rugby Football Union extends heartfelt thanks to CG Coralisle, whose continued sponsorship has been instrumental in enabling the team’s participation on the international stage,” the BRFU said.