Following Saturday’s final trial match at the National Park, the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) disclosed the names of the players selected to face the Cayman Islands on February 9 for a chance to qualify for the America’s Rugby Challenge.
The National Men’s 15s team will look to advance to just the second Americas Rugby Challenge in a one game play-in against the host at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
After Trinidad & Tobago dropped out of the 2018 RAN Regional Qualifers, Cayman defeated Bermuda 20-19 in June to finish second in the ‘Championship’ bracket of the 2018 Rugby Americas North Championships. The win now pits the local ruggers against Cayman for a spot in the 2019 Americas Rugby Challenge.
Guyana was one of two countries to represent the ‘North’ regions in the inaugural 2018 Americas Rugby Challenge. In their regional match up of the tournament, Guyana lost 48-36 to Mexico on September 9, relegating them to the 2019 play-in versus Cayman with a spot in the 2019 challenge on the line.
Cayman played two international games in the 2018 men’s 15s season, losing 42-14 to feeder club USA South. The developmental American side does not qualify for the Americas Rugby Challenge. The Americas Rugby Challenge is an international tournament for Tier Two 15s teams in both North and South America. The 23-man squad is as follows: Jamal Angus (Captain), Jason Tyrell, Rondel McArthur, Walter George, Richard Staglon, James Osborne, Joseph Rahaman, Vallon Adams, Selwyn Henry, Godfrey Broomes, Cloyd Prowell, Osei McKenzie, David Garnett, Glenroy Poole, Lancelot Adonis, Jamal Darrell, Kevin David, Sean Phillips, Ryan Dey, Fabian Joseph, Ryan Gonsalves, Ronald Mayers and Grantley Adams. Shane Grant-Stuart (coach), Sherlock Sam (Technical Director) and Barry Browne (Physio/Trainer) will be the officials winging out to Cayman Islands.
