the local side squares off against a Canadian team at Nationals Sports Club.

The game marks the the first major test for Bermuda as it prepares for the upcoming European tour of Switzerland and Luxembourg.

Their opposition today -- the Halifax Tars -- are a first division club who have been boosted by the addition of 10 players from St. John's New Brunswick.

They placed second in the first division league in their area last season.

"This is our first major tour in a couple of years,'' team member Jeffrey Mclatchy said yesterday. "Our last tour took us to Montreal last summer. We also host a major tournament every July called the Sea Horse Cup which is probably the biggest in eastern Canada.'' Mclatchy played for the St. John's Trojans three years ago when they toured Bermuda.

"We know very little about Bermuda,'' he added. "But they were fitter than we were then and they outlasted us. I expect them to be as fit and as fast this time around.'' Alvin Harvey, who will lead the Bermuda team, said he was happy with the selection.

"This is the first time we have put out a national team this year,'' Harvey said.

"We have given preference to those who are available to go to Europe this spring. We know absolutley nothing about them but we have a team that has a good blend of experience and skill.'' Bermuda: T.White, N.Alexander, S.Givens, D.Cherry, D.Cozens, S.Field, N.Capewell, A.Nicholl, M.Montgomery, D.O'Laughlin, P.Heaney, A.Simons, A.Harvey, M.Gorrie, A.Oliver.