Bermuda rugby coach Lawrence Bird believes his current crop of national team players are stronger than the squad that claimed the NACRA Caribbean Championships last year.Bird’s side begin the defence of their title with a North Zone group game against heated rivals Cayman Islands at the National Sports Centre’s North Field at 1pm today.As the defending champions, Bird admits his team will be considered a prized scalp in this year’s competition, although he is confident his players can cope with the extra pressure.“I’m convinced we’re the best team in the tournament, I’m convinced we’ve moved on even further than where we were last year, and if doesn’t come off then it will come down to the coaches,” said Bird.“Clearly we’re under pressure because we’re the reigning champions and the number one seed, but preparations have been going well and I believe we’re right on track.”Bird expects Cayman to pose a greater threat than two years ago when Bermuda defeated them in their own backyard.And he has warned his players to be braced for a close contest which he predicts will “go right down to the wire.”“As favourites, we expect the other teams to throw caution to the wind as they have nothing to lose. However, I would rather be in this position, as the defending champions, knowing we have beaten everybody or capable of it.“Cayman have come on a lot in the past few years and look more organised; they have some good youngsters who have come through their academy system.“I think it will be a cracking match and I’ve told the players it will go right down to the wire.“It’s a big rivalry but I believe the most controlled, the most organised, the most physical and fittest team will win, and I truly think that’s us.”Bird has praised the commitment of his squad, who have been training three times a week in preparation for today’s game, and said it was a difficult process whittling his squad down to 22 players.“We’ve had about 30 guys a session coming down and that just shows the commitment and desire of the players. Whatever happens on Saturday the players deserve credit for the commitment they have put in.”Bermuda are scheduled to play four North Zone games against Cayman and Bahamas; two home and two away.The three South Zone teams are Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad. The winner of this year’s Championships will advance as the sole Caribbean representatives in the 2015 World Cup qualifiers to be held in England. Bermuda, who are 49th in the International Rugby Board’s world rankings, are the top ranked side in the Caribbean.Bermuda’s squad: Paul Dobinson, Dustin Archibald, Jahan Cedenio, Thomas Greenslade, Mike Williams, David Rourke, Bobby Hurdle, Peter Dunkerley, Darren Richardson, Andrew Hook, Henry Paddison, Pete Dunlop, Tony Ward, Tom Healy, Ian Henderson, Lachie Armour, Paul Davis, Tom Edwards, Neville Zuill, Andre Landy, Jack Ellison, David PringleCoaches: Lawrence Bird, Johann Oosthuizen, Chris NaylorPhysios: Fiona Beckerlegge, Louise KerridgeManagers: Seamus MacLoughlin, Chris Way