Source: www.trinidadexpress.com
Defending Caribbean 15-a-side men's rugby champions Trinidad & Tobago will open their 2011 Caribbean 15-a-side rugby Championship campaign versus host Barbados at the Garrison Savannah, Bridgetown.
TTRFU chairman of selectors Curtis Nero said that injuries to starting fly half James Walkin and newcomer Jabari Felix, have ruled the duo out of the Barbados game. Royalians half back Carlton Felix comes in for Walkin, while Miguel Lara replaces Felix (J). Another newcomer to national duty Joseph Quashie is not available and his place has been taken by Wayne Kelly. Although disappointed that the three players have had to be withdrawn, manager Curtis Nero expressed confidence that the replacements will make a positive contribution to the team's efforts.
"Lara, Kelly and Carlton Felix have all played for the T&T senior men's team before and are seasoned campaigners," he said. "I expect them to seize their opportunities. Injuries are part and parcel of the game that is why we have a competitive squad of players in training. I know Jabari (Felix) and Joseph (Quashie) in particular will be disappointed to miss out on making their senior team debut. But they are young, talented players who I expect will rebound from this setback."
T&T squad:
Forwards: Samuel Roberts (Caribs), Jason Joseph (Police), John Hill* (Harvard) Rowell Gordon* (Harvard) Andrew Welch Jnr* (Royalians) Miguel Lara (Caribs) Jamal Clark* (Caribs) Andrew Crooks*(Trinidad Northern) Peter Bacchus (Caribs) Jesse Richards* (UWI), Graeme Alkins (Caribs) Gordon Dalgliesh* (Trinidad Northern) Adam Frederick (Trinidad Northern) Wayne Kellyb (Harvard/UTT)
Backs: Jonathan O'Connor (Trinidad Northern) Justin McLean* (Trinidad Northern) Carlton Felix (Royalians/UTT) Aasan Lewis* (Harvard) Kelson Figaro (Royalians) Don Rojas (Caribs), James Phillip* (Royalians) Kendall Mootoo* (Caribs)
*Uncapped players.
TECHNICAL STAFF:
Team Manager-Curtis Nero
Head Coach-Larry Mendez
Asst Coach-Dale Trotman
Physio-Rajesh Dharrie-Maharaj