one of the world's most prestigious sporting events.

Bobby Hurdle and Jonathan Cassidy are expected to be named in the West Indies squad for the forthcoming Hong Kong Sevens tournament.

The seven-a-side competition, which takes place at the end of March, features the cream of world's rugby playing nations and more than 130,000 spectators will view the three days of matches.

Although many nations have already picked their players and are in training, the West Indies selectors have yet to decide on exactly who will go.

That will be worked out at the end of a special 12-nation West Indies sevens tournament to be held in Jamaica on March 3 and 4.

As Bermuda is regarded as the strongest nation in the region and Hurdle and Cassidy were part of the squad that played at events in Henley, England, and in Lisbon, Portugal, last year, it would be fair to assume, fitness and form permitting, that they would at the top of the list.

John L. Williams, spokesman for the Bermuda Rugby Football Union and secretary of the West Indies RFU, will be managing the side in Hong Kong and said it was a great honour to be invited.

"When we were in Henley last year the team played very well. Then it went to Lisbon and the Western Samoan team -- one of the best in the world -- beat the West Indies team on their way to the top,'' he said.

"They beat them by 30-odd points but in sevens if you get one of the top teams in the world beating you by 30-odd points then you are in good shape.

"It sounds odd but scores of 70 and 80-0 are not uncommon because it is so fast, so they performed very, very well.

"As a result of that they were invited to put a team into the World Series of Sevens and the first one they have invited us to is Hong Kong.'' That event is just one of a number held around the globe.

"There is a circuit going to eight or 10 places a year. Now, we have only been invited to one at this stage, which is just as well because for us to get to one is an ordeal in itself,'' added Williams.

"Everybody else is playing for a living, these guys are playing as amateurs.

Just to get invited is mind-boggling, really.

"In terms of sporting history, for Bermudians to be included in the West Indies team for such a prestigious event is extraordinary.

"For a small squad to be represented by guys who can play and compete at this level.... They don't invite you there to make up the numbers, they invite you because they know you can play.'' Williams said taking part in Hong Kong could only benefit the sport on the Island, no matter what the results of the matches.

"It will definitely benefit the Island. Exposure gives young Bermudians something to aim for,'' he said.

"Quite a few `minor nations' and `non-entity nations' are realising that Sevens rugby is probably the way to go, in that you're skill level is high, but a lot depends on speed and agility.

"That's what people from this part of the world excel at. You only to have to look at the world track record to see who the fast guys are.'' In readiness for the event in Jamaica, the BRFU will be holding their own seven-a-side tournament from January 9.

The matches, involving all of the Island's club sides, will be played at BAA Field at 6.15 p.m. every Tuesday throughout the remainder of the season.

As there are no goalposts at the venue, kicking will not take place.