T&T’S senior rugby men will open their 2019 World Cup qualifying campaign against Jamaica tomorrow from 4 pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
The confident Jamaican outfit are fresh from trouncing St Vincent and the Grenadines 48-0 in their opening qualifier last month. The win also saw them rising six spots up the World Rugby Rankings to 26th. T&T are ranked 22nd and will be eager to start their campaign on a winning note.
Tomorrow also marks the start of their 2015 Caribbean Championship title defence. As part of their qualification process, the local ruggermen will face Barbados on May 21 in Barbados and Guyana on June 18 in Trinidad.
Once successful T&T face the winner of the Northern Regional Championship to defend their title and move on to play the winner of the South America Rugby Championships in the World Cup Qualification Process.
Coach Larry Mendez described his team as well-balanced, comprising both youth and experience. Yesterday he said: “Bringing in younger players was necessary as it created competition in the squad for positions and improving the training session leading into better overall performances by the team thus far.”
Six players will make their debut in this cycle of competition and long-standing captain Adam Fredericks will lead the charge.