Bermuda Under-17 rugby coach Keith Hodgkins hopes his troops will gain valuable experience when they travel to the US to compete in the Las Vegas Rugby Invitational.The tour, which kicks off on February 8, will be the first overseas rugby trip for many of the young players involved as well being the team’s debut at the event.The Invitational is both sevens and 15s rugby.For Hodgkins, the main focus will be the smaller version of the game that will be included in the Olympics Games in 2016.“We want the boys to get some experience as this is the first time we will be going to the tournament, we don’t know their ability but the team is in the high school open division,” said Hodgkins.“The aim is the sevens format as it’s something for the guys to learn, and also it will be an Olympic event in 2016, and the IRB has been very insistent that we implement this to the team.“Of our 24 players, 15 are elite so we can play in the elite division next year while the rest of the guys will be involved in the 15s format, so the tour is a combination of both formats.“We don’t know the teams we will be playing against but we want to have a good time and enjoy the competition, win or lose.”Bermuda’s three 15s games will be played against Bellarmine, Del Norte and a USA High School Select.In the sevens, Bermuda have been drawn in Group B alongside BC 3, Stern Math, Science High School and the Notre Dame Hounds.