The local 2020 rugby pre-season scrums off Saturday at the National Park from 15:00hrs with a 15s match involving ‘North’ and ‘South’ players but concerns have been raised over the suitability of the National Park Playing Field for International competitions.
According to a release from the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), pre-season action continues next Saturday at the same time and venue with a 10s match up. The match will see the President’s team tackling the Vice President’s side.
From January 26, training for the respective U-19, women and senior teams will kick off ahead of matches against hosts, French Guiana. The dates are yet to be confirmed.
Further, Guyana will commence its 2023 World XV International qualifier matches with a home game against arch rivals Trinidad and Tobago in late March or early April in the Southern Zone.
This would be followed by an away game in late April or early May. The Northern Zone is set to commence in March. Winner of the Southern Zone will play the winner of the Northern Zone for the right to advance further. The USA, Canada and Mexico continue to be the juggernauts of North American Rugby.
Meanwhile, international home games listed for Guyana may see GRFU having to forfeit same due to the lack of international size pitches an official of the Union disclosed. Works would have commenced by the National Sports Commission to upgrade the Rugby Field at the National Park to international standards but the inclement weather and lack of materials would have stalled that project which does not have a definitive completion date as yet.
What is definitive however is the date of the GRFU’s Annual General Meeting and election of office bearers. That exercise will be held on January 31st at 17:00hrs at the headquarters of the Guyana Olympic Association at Liliendaal.
