Confident TT head to Under-19 rugby

The North American and West Indies Regional (NAWIRA) qualifier — starting today — will also serve as a Caribbean Under-19 Rugby Championship.

After enduring a 100 per cent losing record at last year’s championship in Jamaica, the 24-member TT squad is anxious to improve on their effort of a year ago.

Head coach Sean O’Farrell says there are new faces and improvement overall in the approach and he expects a “good showing”.

He explained that rugby in Trinidad and Tobago is going through a transition and rebuilding stage.

“The boys have worked hard. They are young and many of them have another year or two at this age grade,” O’Farrell said.

He conceded that qualifying for the world stage may be out of their reach at this time, but topping the Caribbean segment is a possibility.

“Qualifying for the World Championship will be a difficult proposition. USA normally produces a big and powerful team. The Caribbean title maybe a more realistic target. But our main focus is the ongoing development of local rugby. So we will see how it goes,” O’Farrell said.

The teams have been divided into two pools.

Hosts Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados will play in Pool “A”, and Pool “B” has the USA, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and St Lucia.

In the opening matches today, USA play St Lucia, Jamaica play the Cayman Islands, and Guyana meet Barbados. (CMC)