Harlequins, the Aviva Premiership side, are performing a series of school visits and coaching sessions ahead of their Atlantic Cup match against Bermuda Barbarians at North Field on Saturday.

Nick Easter, who played for the Barbarians against Saracens in last year’s game, is thrilled to return to Bermuda and work with the Island’s youngsters.

“Everyone is really enthusiastic towards rugby and I think it’s a great sport here,” said the England forward. “I’m doing a bit of coaching and there seems to be a passion growing for the sport, which is good.”

Harlequins’ 30-strong squad are working with Bermuda’s Beyond Rugby charity and Bermuda Youth Rugby to target youngsters of all skill levels and hope to instil a love of the game through the coaching sessions.

“Some of them have clearly played before, some of them haven’t, but it’s all about integrating the basic principals and making sure it’s fun for them,” Easter, whose team visited Berkeley Institute yesterday, said.

“You don’t want to stand around preaching, you want them to be running around, using their hand-eye coordination, using their footwork, and using their different strengths as well.

“Some are bigger, some are smaller, some are quicker, some are slower, which is basically the essence of rugby. It’s a game for all shapes and sizes, so we’re making sure they understand that.”

Patrick Calow, the youth development officer for Bermuda Rugby and co-ordinator of the Beyond Rugby programme, stressed the value of the clinics.

“It’s great for the kids to meet some world-class rugby players that are actually coming to them, coming to their schools,” Calow said. “For a lot of these students it’s their first time experiencing something like it.

“The Harlequins guys bring a real energy, it’s good fun. It really fits in with what we’re trying to do [with Bermuda youth rugby].”

Beyond Rugby is a charity that works with at-risk children to provide mentorship and life skills.

One of Harlequin’s aims is to boost the profile of the charity, as well as raise funds through a series of events.

The Harlequins’ visit is also providing some of Bermuda’s young players with an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the best in their sport.

Padraic O’Shaughnessy, a Bermuda Under-17 and Under-19 player, said: “It’s a really great experience for the guys to get a sense of what it is to play in another place.

“Here the game is sort of relaxed, but in England where rugby is bigger there’s definitely a greater sense of training, not only physical but mental.”

Jahniko Francis, who also plays for Bermuda Under-17 and Under-19 sides, added: “It’s pretty fun, I can learn a lot from [the Harlequins players].

“I want to thank them for doing this, it helps me learn and become a better player.”

The Bermuda youth and national teams will take part in a series of matches at North Field on Saturday, leading up to the main event between Harlequins and Barbarians.

“It will be serious,” Easter added. “There’s a lot of pride at stake. A professional rugby player is a competitive animal. They don’t want to lose, whatever it may be. Tiddlywinks or darts in the pub or another game of rugby. They want to win.”

The Atlantic Cup match starts at 7pm. Gates open at 1pm, with Bermuda national team matches at 2pm, 4pm and a women’s game at 6pm.

Tickets are $20 at the gate or $15 in advance.