Bermuda will make at least three changes to their starting XV for their North American and Caribbean Rugby Association Championship match with Bahamas on Saturday.

Dan Cole, the full back, and Durnferd Davis, the wing, who between them scored four of Bermuda’s seven tries in the 55-3 win over Turks and Caicos Islands are both unavailable, as is Steven Husbands, the centre.

Richard Cumbers, the left wing, is expected to switch to full back, with Chris Kawaley coming in to replace him, and Davis’s twin brother Paull filling the gap on the right.

John Quigley, who started on the bench against TCI, will replace Husbands in the centres, while Andre Landy and Neville Zuill have been called up to provide cover in the backs. Bermuda leave for Bahamas tomorrow and the squad are well aware that Saturday’s game will be entirely different to the TCImatch, which Roedolf van der Westhuizen’s side won without ever getting out of second gear.

The two sides last met in Nassau in 2012 in a close game that Bermuda edged 16-8, and Van der Westhuizen expects this time to be just as tight.

“I’ve been told by my predecessors that they are quite physical upfront, they do have pace out wide, but the game will be won through physicality,” he said.

“I think it’s just again the same game plan, make sure we do the hard yards and set up the phases and then the gaps will come out wide. But that is rugby generally.”

Given the battle Bermuda expect in the forwards, Van der Westhuizen may decide to shuffle his pack, and could bring either Jahan Cedenio, who scored Bermuda’s only try against Bahamas in 2012, or Aldo Campbell into the starting line-up.

Saturday’s game is one Bermuda probably have to win if they harbour any hopes of getting out of the North Zone Cup League this year. The final game in the group is between Bahamas and TCI, with Bahamas favourites to win that encounter on April 18.