In life you have to make the most of good opportunities when they present themselves and tomorrow, Jonathan Cassidy aims to do just that.

Along with fellow Bermudians Bobby Hurdle and Josh and Danny McGavern, Cassidy will line up against one of the world's best players in Waisale Serevi when the West Indies take on Fiji in the opening round of the World Rugby Sevens tournament in Chile.

Cassidy, who plays locally for Police, was due to sit out the competition, which also features the likes of New Zealand, England and South Africa, having suffered with a niggling back problem. But injuries to other players led to an SOS call going out to him at the weekend.

"I have been carrying a back injury for a couple of seasons now and I was selected for these tournaments initially because of that," he said.

"Basically, I haven't been able to do any road running so my cardio fitness is way down. I have just been resting but I got a call on the weekend. The coach knows about me, he is confident I can still add something to the squad.

"I understand they have had severe problems with injuries. Two of the Trinidadian guys got injured and they have a World Cup qualifier against Brazil which they have to win later on this month so they didn't want to release any more of their players. It's unfortunate but it led to me getting the call and I certainly will enjoy the trip."

That will be an understatement if he runs out against fly-half Serevi - a man dubbed `the crowned king of sevens'.

"It is an honour for a footballer to play against Brazil, even if you lose 10-0," said Cassidy of his impending date with his sporting hero. "In rugby it is the same thing. I am going to get off the plane on Friday morning and hopefully get on the park with Serevi on Friday evening.

"That's something I'd love to do. Throughout your whole rugby career you wait for moments like that."

If playing against Serevi was not enough, the Fijians, who have had a run of bad results in recent tournaments, have brought back fellow big gun Marika Vunibacka as well as a number of other stars.

But after the initial handshakes are over Cassidy says he will put to the back of his mind who he is playing against.

"A lot of the squad including myself and Bobby Hurdle played Fiji in the opening match of the (2001) Hong Kong Sevens," he said. "That was pretty daunting - a packed stadium on a Friday evening, much like I suppose it will be down in Chile. But it's kind of `been there, done it before', you just try and do your best.

"We lost 47-0 to them. But all the guys are Bobby's size and a lot faster and physically bigger and better. It's tough to compete with guys like that."

The competition will not get any easier in the second game when the West Indies take on Samoa.

"Samoa are again an excellent side. Most of their players are based in New Zealand. Again, as with Fiji, the Samoans are pretty much all full-time professionals," he said.

"When we get on the park we will be looking to score some points against them and that would be a moral victory anyway."

Though realistic, Cassidy believes no side is invincible.

"We played Samoa in Lisbon in 2000 and actually took the lead after about 12 seconds," he said. "Even against Fiji in Hong Kong we were able to break through their defensive line, but then once they turned and it was just a foot race they had the physical advantage over you.

"You just have to look to do your things right - make sure your lineouts go well, your scrums are solid, minimise your mistakes and wait for the lucky breaks."

Their final match in Group D pits the West Indies against their South American hosts and although it represents their best chance of success, Cassidy says they have to be wary.

"They will have played the Fijians and the Samoans beforehand as well so both of us will be in the same boat," he said. "The Bermuda team went down and played Chile in the World Cup qualifiers four years ago and they put 60 points on us. They are a good team, more so in the 15s. They battle with Uruguay and are probably the next step down from Argentina. Rugby is pretty strong down there.

"They have got some quick boys but that will definitely be our game in the group stage. If we are going to win any it will be that one obviously so we will be giving that our all."

The likelihood is that even with a win in the final game the West Indies will be taking part in the Bowl competition along with the likes of fellow minor nations Brazil and Paraguay.

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"We were in with Hong Kong and the Arabian Gulf and Malaysia and Thailand in Hong Kong," said Cassidy. "That is definitely our level, you are looking at amateurs against amateurs whereas the top flight is professionals against professionals.

"At that level there is no reason why we cannot go to the final every time. It just depends on the draw. You can easily come up against Canada or even an English side at that level. Again, as in playing against the big countries it is just a case of minimising your mistakes, don't miss your tackles and hopefully get some points on the board and see what happens."

Next week, the West Indies continue their South American adventure when they travel to Argentina for the next round of the World Sevens. There they find themselves in Pool A against New Zealand, Argentina and France.

The event takes place in Mar del Plata on January 11 and 12.

West indies squad: Derek "Bobby" Hurdle (Bermuda); Josh McGavern (Bermuda); Danny McGavern (Bermuda); Jonathan Cassidy (Bermuda); Mark Hamilton (Trinidad); Brent Barry (Trinidad); Troy Grant (Barbados); Owen Proverbs (Barbados); K.Johnson (Jamaica); E.Wilson (Jamaica); G.Gregory (Jamaica).

Some of the above squad are UK based players, but are qualified through International Rugby Board (iRB) regulations to play for the West Indies.