Island's most successful competitive national team at the forefront.

Bermuda take on Barbados in a first round World Cup Rugby qualifying match at 3.00 p.m.

Already this year the national rugby team have won the Caribbean Championships and pounded the Bahamas in Nassau during their other World Cup first round game.

These successes have been overshadowed by the Island's other international forays in more recognised sports.

But this weekend, with the soccer season complete and the start of the cricket season delayed, rugby gets chance to take centre stage.

Barbados arrive in Bermuda still smarting from a narrow defeat to the Bahamas and looking for an upset.

"They're very confident, very confident,'' stressed Bermuda Rugby Football Union president John Williams.

Bermuda have been hurt by the late withdrawal from the side of centre Mike Gorrie, suffering from a recurring back injury.

Doctors have advised him to rest and he will be replaced by the BRFU's young player of the year Nathan Browne who will take over on the wing while captain Alvin Harvey moves to outside centre.

Harvey is welcomed back into the side after injury prevented him from taking part in the match against the Bahamas.

His importance on the team was recognised by national squad coach Kieron Peacock earlier this week when he said he was delighted to have Harvey aboard for what will be Peacock's final game.

Peacock -- a teacher at Saltus Junior School -- leaves the Island in August to take up a position back in England. He is set to be replaced by Peter Shillingford.

Peacock said: "Alvin has a never-say-die attitude and is a key factor in preparing the players mentally before the game and motivating them on the field. In turn, the players respect and respond to him.'' Harvey admitted he was looking forward to the game.

"It feels great to be back. I can't wait to get back out on the pitch.

"If we win this game, which I strongly believe we will, it will be the furthest the national team have gone in major international competition.

"It will be a feather in the cap of Bermuda rugby although we still hope to go a few more rounds.'' But the fifth year captain said today's game, which marks only the second time the team have played an international match locally, was significant in other ways also.

The whole team, said Harvey, was enthusiastic about showing their skills off to local supporters and "people who don't know the game but take a chance to come down and see what it's about''.

"It's a great honour to play at home again in a big international game which will showcase our ability and enthusiasm.

"We are going to try and show Bermuda that the local players are committed to the sport. We want to show people the opportunities the sport presents.'' He said Bermuda was recognised and well regarded on the international platform for the high standard of play and dedication of its players.

But now there was a local need for young people to come in and take over where the older players -- "the pioneers'' said Harvey -- had left off.

Harvey's dream? "I would really like to see a Bermudian play professionally,'' he said.

Steps towards that dream might be taken in earlier action today. Both tag rugby and mini rugby will be featured, starting at 12.30 p.m.