Bermuda Rugby Football Union have unveiled their new national team coach on the eve of the squad's second World Cup qualifying match.

BRFU president John Williams announced yesterday "that the players' choice to lead Bermuda rugby for the forseeable future is Peter Shillingford.'' The Bermuda Telephone Company executive has been assisting present national team coach Kieron Peacock in preparing the team for the match against Barbados on Saturday.

But Peacock, who according to Williams "has raised local rugby to a new level,'' will be stepping down after the World Cup qualifier and returning to England.

Williams said Shillingford would be "a great successor''.

Shillingford, probably one of the most accomplished players ever to play local rugby, has an excellent background. He is a Grade II English RFU coach who places great emphasis on player commitment and commands the full respect of the Bermuda squad, Williams said.

Shillingford's career has included a total of 13 years with top English clubs Mosely and Worcester. He also took the field for England Colts, England under-21s, Guanos, Midlands and Barbarians. Upon arriving in Bermuda, he joined Renegades, who won the local league and knockout trophies this season, and represented the Island in the last Caribbean Championships, won by Bermuda.

Bermuda, who their first qualifier 24-3 in Bahamas last month, face Barbados at 3 p.m. at National Sports Club on Saturday.

The match will be preceded by tag rugby at 12.30 p.m. and mini-rugby at 1.30 p.m.

Bermuda squad: B.McNiven, S.Given, D.Forsythe, B.Hurdle, A.Redmond, S.Field, P.Cooper, D.Bird, A.Correia, R.Webber, H.Robinson, M.Gorrie, S.Correia, A.Harvey (captain), M.Montgomery, D.Lunn, N.Capewell, T.White, J.McGavern, N.Brown, B.Adderley.