The Bermuda Rugby Football Union have named the Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams for the Rugby America North Sevens Tournament in the Cayman Islands this weekend.

The men’s team, who placed third overall last year, will face tough opposition in their pool play against Canada, Mexico and Barbados.

The team will be under the stewardship of England Sevens legend Ben Gollings and Dan Cole who has played with the team for the past several years.

“The team has been training well. It’s a slightly revamped side due to the Olympic format, but it’s a great opportunity for some younger players to step up,” said Gosling.

The men’s side has a split of experience and new faces, including rookies, Jahniko Francis and Calum Maule who will line up alongside Scott Clarke, and Myles Dismont Robinson.

Jordan De Shields and Mike Kelley add pace to a strong forward line alongside Darren Richardson, who returns from a five year hiatus for his sixth international tournament, while Tashon DeSilva, returns to captain the side.

Also returning from last year’s team are Alex Brown, Alex Doyling, Bertie Horsfield and Antonio Perinchief-Leader.

After a tough tournament last year, the women’s team are looking to improve in a round-robin tournament against Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St Lucia and Bahamas.

The squad will feature returning players Gillian Cross, Deneka Borden, Amanda Swan, Karly Alleyne, Lauren Rothwell, Corrie Cross, Cerise Woodley, Lysmeiri Santana Suazo, Keonte White and Camille Chin. New additions to the squad include Apryl Jackson and Nya Heyliger.

“This is our first test in seeing how much more competitive we have become,” said coach Jamie Barnwell. “Step by step, we have been working towards that as a team.”