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

Bermuda face United States South (noon Bermuda time) and Mexico (3pm) on the opening day before returning to action against Jamaica and Cayman Islands on Thursday, with finals day taking place on Saturday.

This will be Bermuda’s third consecutive appearance in Querétaro. In 2024, the island finished runner-up to USA South, but significant turnover in players since means a new generation will have the opportunity to represent Bermuda on the regional stage this week.

Canadian-based Dylan Sangster is leading the 19-member squad, with Nyindae Smith and Dante Noel-Simmons serving as vice-captains.

Sangster expressed confidence in the squad to deliver when they step on to the field at FC Total.

“I’m very excited to return to Mexico for this year’s tournament,” the captain said.

“The squad looks different, as it does every year, but the boys have built strong confidence and chemistry throughout our preparations.

“We know the USA will provide a very tough test in our opening match but I have every confidence in this group. I back the boys and we’re ready to represent Bermuda with pride.”

Co-head Coach Chris Naylor expects the senior players to show the new ones the way. Naylor is joined by Anthony Cupidore as coach, while Jeff Sangster is serving as team manager.

“We are really looking forward to the tournament,” Naylor said.

“This is a young group, with nine players making their debut at this level, although a couple of those newcomers are already 19. We are excited to see the new talent coming into the squad and the impact they can make.

“We have an extremely tough start. Based on last year’s ranking, we open against the USA, which will be a major challenge, and it does not get any easier with host nation Mexico immediately afterwards.

“Our senior players, particularly captain Dylan Sangster and vice-captains Nyindae Smith and Dante Noel-Simmons, will need to step up, lead from the front and help guide the younger members of the squad.

“The boys have trained well and I am confident that we can go to Mexico, express ourselves and play some good rugby.”

Gemma Godfrey, president of the Bermuda Rugby Football Union, said the annual championship remains a vital part of the national player development pathway.

“This competition is one of the highlights of our calendar each year and an important part of the pathway for our developing players,” Godfrey said.

“It gives young men progressing through the upper end of Broncos Rugby, schools rugby and the Beyond Rugby programme the opportunity to come together as one Bermuda team and test themselves against high-quality opposition from across the region.

“We have a great deal of young talent coming through. Given the size of our island, the fact that Bermuda can enter a team in this competition and compete against much larger countries, many of which have significantly broader youth pathways and greater exposure to the game, says a tremendous amount about our rugby community.

“It reflects the commitment of our volunteer coaches, many of whom are parents giving up their evenings and weekends, as well as all those who continue to give so much of themselves to support the game.”

The BRFU president acknowledged the role played by Naylor, Cupidore and Jeff Sangster in the development of the sport on island.

“Anthony Cupidore has been a driving force behind several of our youth programmes, including Broncos Rugby,” she said.

“Chris Naylor has made an enormous contribution at primary school and club level and throughout our national team programmes.

“Jeff Sangster has also been instrumental assisting with fundraising, as well administratively supporting both the Broncos Rugby programme. He has also been managing logistics for many of Bermuda Rugby’s international campaigns and youth tours.

“These individuals have been quiet, steady pillars of youth rugby in Bermuda for more than 15 years. Our continued participation in tournaments such as this would not be possible without people like Anthony, Chris and the many other volunteers across our community.”

Meanwhile, the tournament will also mark the first use at this competition of RAN’s 2026 Tackle Height Law Variation.

In open-field play, tacklers must make contact below the base of the ball-carrier’s sternum, an initiative intended to reduce the risk of head-to-head and shoulder-to-head contact.