Well aware his team are likely to be outclassed in this weekend's World Rugby Classic, Bermuda's coach Pete Shillingford is disappointed their two-Test series versus Jamaica did not materialise.

The Caribbean island's inability to secure United States visas for all their players has resulted in Bermuda being thrown onto the Classic's main stage at the 11th hour to face the mighty Barbarians, a mix of English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish players.

"Clearly our chances of beating the Barbarians are very slim. These are first-class ex-international players so we're always going to be up against it. I think everybody understands that but we have a good side and we will still go out there with the same passion and enjoy the occasion and the rugby," said Shillingford.

"Hopefully, the crowd will get behind us as they have done in the past few years and we'll have a good time.

"In our training sessions, everybody has been focusing on the games ahead and hopefully there will be no change in focus because we're playing the Barbarians instead of Jamaica."

"Going up against the Barbarians on the opening day - you can't get better than that. I'm sure the boys will revel in the occasion," said Shillingford, adding that his team might surprise people on Sunday.

Noting that his players were "mentally geared up for the Jamaicans", the coach termed it "a disappointment" that the two-Test sideshow to the Classic had to be cancelled.

"We thought that (opposing Jamaica) would be the best way to prove ourselves and showcase our players. It's a letdown that the Jamaicans aren't coming and we are now in the Classic - no disrespect to the Classic."

Looking ahead, Shillingford said that should the Bermudians overpower the Barbarians they would then face New Zealand for a place in the final. If Bermuda lose to the Barbarians, they will go through to the plate competition and, surmised Shillingford, "probably play against Iberia (players from Portugal and Spain)".

"I think we would have a fair chance against the Iberians. They have been in the competition two years now and they have been improving. We played them last year and lost 5-0 but I thought we were very unlucky.

"That could be a very competitive game for us. If we win that we will go through to the plate final on the last day."

The Bermudian camp have been in training since July, starting with fitness workouts and concentrating on technical training in the last six weeks. Heading into Sunday's clash with the Barbarians, the locals have only a few minor injury worries.