Bermuda's national rugby side will travel to the Bahamas this weekend bidding for a place in next year's Rugby Sevens World Cup in Dubai.

With only two of the 11 sides involved qualifying for next year's tournament, Bermuda will have to overcome the likes of Canada and the USA to book their place.

The national side warmed-up by playing in the Cherry Bowl 7s competition in Malabar, and although they beat all the Island's club sides, coach Lawrence Bird knows his team face a much tougher task this weekend.

Bermuda have been drawn in the same group as the USA and Mexico, and with the top two from the three groups going into the next stage, beating Mexico in their opening game is essential.

"The US and Canada are obvious favourites, but anything can happen in Rugby Sevens," said Bird.

"It's all about possession and if we play intelligently, it is possible to go all the way and qualify for the finals in Dubai.

"We're well prepared this year, and if we play to our game plan and potential, we have the ability to beat all the Caribbean teams.

"We've been training hard three times a week since the start of August in preparation for this, everyone showed huge commitment and it was very tough to make the final selection."

While the men are bidding for a place in Dubai, the ladies team will be making history in the Bahamas, playing in their first full international matches.

Drawn in the same group as Jamaica and Guyana, captain Melissa Da Ponte is under no illusions about the task facing her team.

"As this is our first international tour I expect that we will face some strong opposition who are more experienced and may have more speed than us," she said.

"We have a handful of very agile and elusive speedsters as well, combining this with our skills and game sense we should not be underestimated.

"I know that when we step on to the pitch on Saturday that we will play with our heart and soul worn on our sleeve and will do Bermuda proud.

"I am very proud of the team's hard work, dedication and determination to constantly improve themselves day in and day out."

Men's squad: Bobby Hurdle (Teachers, Capt), Tom Healy (Renegades), Kris Furbert (Mariners), Tom Edwards (Police), Chris Naylor (Teachers), Harry Andrews (Teachers), Steve Husbands (Mariners), Conor McGlynn (Renegades), Greg Garside (Renegades), Jack Ellison (Renegades), David Porter (Teachers), Eoghan O'Dwyer (Renegades).

Men: Pool A - USA, Mexico, Bermuda. Pool B - Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Bahamas, Cayman. Pool C - Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, St Vincent & Gren.

Ladies squad: Melissa Da Ponte (Teachers, Capt), Amy Harvey (Renegades, Vice-Capt), Jill Brydon (Mariners), Kim Spencer (Teachers), Anna Knapman-Scott (Police), Elizabeth Copeland (Police), Julia Mansfield (Police), Melissa Field (Renegades), Nancy Catallier (Teachers), Rachel Black (Police), Ruth Leston (Renegades), Vanessa George (Renegades).

Women: Pool A - USA, Barbados, St Vincent. Pool B - Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Cayman. Pool C - Jamaica, Guyana, Bermuda.