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Bermuda opt for experience in title quest

Picture perfect: Bermuda men's rugby team ahead of their Rugby Americas North Championship Final encounter against Guadelope

Bermuda head coach Jamie Barnwell has named his 29-man squad ahead of Sunday’s Rugby Americas North Championship Final encounter against Guadelope.

Having beaten Jamaica 43-14 in their campaign opener, at the National Sports Centre in March, Bermuda will be aiming to be crowned Caribbean champions for the first time since 2012, when they successfully defended the title they won a year previously.

Barnwell’s side had expected a daunting trip to Guyana, who were highly fancied to overcome Guadeloupe in their respective regional encounter.

However, having suffered a shock 19-5 defeat, Bermuda were handed the major boost of home advantage.

Opting for experience, the side will be captained by Aldo Campbell and Peter Dunkerley, who will be supported in the forwards by Dustin Archibald, Darren Richardson, Conor McGlynn, Thomas Greenslade, Jamie Baum, Bennet Gibson, Ben Cook, Tashon DeSilva, Mikey Williams, Ben Green, Tadhg O’Shaughnessy and Henry Johnson.

The team will also benefit from the return of Brynley Toms, who has been playing at a professional level with Cardiff in Wales.

Dan Cole, Paul Kelley, Tom Healey, Stephan Smit, Mikle Dill, Conor McGowan, Alex Brown, Scott Clarke, Ja’kee Simons, Antonio Perinchief-Leader, Ryan Murray, Mike Kelly and Nigel Buress will round out the back line with the addition of Padraic O’Shaughnessy, who played with Maasstricht Maraboes Rugby club in the Netherlands this year.

“It’s important that everything is as normal as possible in these big games,” said head coach Barnwell. “I trust all of the players implicitly. They know how to operate. They won’t let the team down.

“To be crowned Caribbean champions would be amazing. That was the goal of the entire squad and so to be able to deliver that would be incredible for everyone.”