World Rugby Classic organisers have been applauded for their decision to include local clubs on the programme in this year’s edition.

Teachers and Renegades squared off on Sunday at the National Sports Centre, with Renegades winning 25-15 to mark the first time that Bermudian clubs have been part of the action.

Chris Naylor, the Teachers coach, welcomed the move to include the fixture with the players getting the chance to interact with legendary lock Devin Toner, who is part of the Classic Irish team.

“I think it’s great that the Classic has given local rugby a platform to play on,” Naylor told The Royal Gazette.

“It’s the first time in my memory that this has happened for a club fixture and I know that boys from Teachers and Renegades enjoyed the occasion.

“Getting to play before a big crowd under the lights at the Classic was a really nice thing for Bermuda and we hope this can continue in the future.”

Police captain Darren Richardson, who featured for Teachers in the match, was delighted to be part of history with the 41-year-old appearing twice for Bermuda Barbarians against Bald Eagles Rugby, from the United States.

“It was great to be a part of the game on Sunday,” Richardson said. “It’s always a good thing when Bermuda rugby is a part of the Classic.

“The tournament is the showpiece for our sport on island. In the past, the national side as well as the Barbarians have featured, but there has never been a club game to my knowledge, so that was a bit of history.

“The fans that remained to watch were fantastic. They made playing for the second straight day enjoyable. The match itself was a bit scrappy, but in the end I was glad to be on the winning side.”

Bermuda Rugby president Gemma Godfrey expressed her appreciation to the Classic organisers.

“On behalf of the Bermuda Rugby Football Union, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the World Rugby Classic for this historic opportunity to showcase Bermuda’s domestic league rugby on the international stage,” she said.

“The chance for our young players to step on to the pitch under the floodlights is a truly unique and inspiring experience – one that can’t be matched. It’s moments like these that ignite a passion in our aspiring athletes and encourage them as they progress on their rugby journeys.

“We’re immensely grateful for the partnership we’ve enjoyed with the Classic team this year, and are excited to continue building on it in the future.

“Opportunities like this are instrumental in developing the next generation of rugby players and leaders. By working together, we can make the game we love stronger and more accessible for everyone.”

John Kane, the Classic president, said that the inclusion of local teams is something they will look to continue in future editions of the tournament, which has been running since 1988.

“We've never had a club game before at the World Rugby Classic, that was the first time,” Kane said. “It was good to give the players an opportunity to play in front of a crowd.

“It’s something we’ll look at for the future, but there is nothing set in stone yet. It’s something that we can do if we think if it will work, but at the moment, it’s not in our schedule.”

Meanwhile, some of the former international rugby stars on the island for the Classic have taken time to give Bermuda’s young players the benefit of their experience.

On Sunday, the United States Classic Eagles mentored students from CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute, who are part of the Beyond Rugby programme.

Warwick Academy’s aspiring rugby players spent time with the Classic Springboks when the South Africans visited the island’s oldest school on Tuesday.