Bermuda Men’s rugby is at a crossroads following the withdrawal of Renegades Rugby Club from the league.

In an update provided by Robin Brickell, the Renegades captain, the club will not be in a position to field a men’s team next season, with the decision leaving just two remaining teams, Police and Teachers, after Mariners pulled out at the beginning of the year due to a lack of players.

“Renegades will not be in a position to field a 15-a-side men’s team in the next regular rugby season based on current available numbers,” Brickell said.

“The last few seasons post- Covid have been particularly challenging for the club, and the recent news that a crop of our regular players will be leaving the island shortly has been the final nail in the coffin.”

Brickell has taken the lead in informing the rugby community of the club’s situation.

“I haven’t seen, or been made aware, of any concrete plans from the BRFU in relation to the format or timing of next season, so we wanted to share this news with you all as soon as possible so that everyone at the BRFU is aware of our circumstances,” Brickell said

While the club is pulling out of the league, Brickell said that most of the Renegades players would love to continue playing and hopes a way around the situation can be found.

“With this update meaning that there are only two men's teams available for next season, we feel that Bermuda men’s club rugby is at a crossroads,” he said.

“There are still plenty of players within Renegades who would like to be involved in rugby in Bermuda in some shape or form, so Renegades would like to be involved in engaging with the BRFU and the other clubs in finding a solution to the current problems that the game is facing on island.

Men’s club rugby in Bermuda has suffered a dramatic drop in playing numbers in recent years, resulting in a reduced rugby schedule, and Sean Field-Lament, the Bermuda Rugby Football Union president, said the withdrawal by the Renegades was disappointing as the club has been around since the 1960s.

“Obviously its been a tough year and a couple of clubs have found it challenging to keep up,” Field-Lament said.

“I really don't know what we can do about it, its really disappointing. It’s heartbreaking for the Renegades, we hope we can come together as rugby stakeholders and come up with a way forward.”

The BRFU boss is looking to the upcoming Annual General Meeting, with a date yet to be finalised to find a solution. With the rugby season only due to start in September, Field-Lament believes there is enough time to come up with a solution, with a possible solution to amalgamate the Mariners and Renegades.