Trinidad and Tobago’s ruggermen will launch their bid to lift the NACRA (North America and Caribbean Rugby Association) Under-19 Men’s Cup at home starting today, when they face a tricky side in Mexico today from 4.30 p.m. at Fatima College’s Mucurapo Road ground.
But they will not be the only team representing the Red, White and Black, with a T&T President’s squad competing to the NACRA Trophy, a last minute change after Bahamas withdrew from the competition.
Before T&T tackle the Mexicans, the early match on the day at Fatima Ground will see Bermuda and Jamaica face off from 2 p.m.
T&T are grouped in the NACRA Cup’s Pool B with Mexico and Barbados, while defending champions Cayman Islands— who have been in T&T since Monday preparing for the tournament and their title defence—Bermuda and Jamaica make up Pool A. The NACRA trophy, though, will be a round robin tourney between T&T’s President’s team, Guyana, St Lucia and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Team T&T will be led by skipper Ross Navarro, and the squad of 24 will also include Abdul Jackman, Jonathan Blackburn, Joshua Seechan, Sebastian Navarro and Wasiym Stewart.
The President’s team will include Jamie Ablack, Jelani Geroge, Keyhon Mendes and Darnell Roper. They will have Carlton Felix serve as head coach, and Ronald Silverthorne as his deputy, while Quinten Lyder-Baptiste is manager.
The Cayman squad have been in T&T since Monday preparing for the tournament and their title defence.
SQUADS
T&T:
Abdul Jackman, Anderson Jackman, Andrew Phillips, Beres Celestine, Brandon Greenidge, Christian Chin, Daniel Dragon, Daniel Ryan, Deion Smith, Joerelle Beard, Jonathan Blackburn, Jodi Clairmont, Jimmel Doyle, Joshua Seechan, Moses Paul, Quincy Mornix, Reinaldo Bermudez, Ross Navarro (captain), Sankara Daly, Shakeel Dyte, Shaquille Lucas, Sebastian Navarro, William Edghill, Wasiym Stewart.
T&T President’s XV:
Jaime Ablack, Myles Alleyne, Kevin Atwell, Jason Bain, Akash Bejai, Adam Camacho, Justin Charlerie, Anfernee Cornwall, Jaleel Cox, Sherron Edwards, O’Neil Fortune, Michael Garcia, Jelani George, Caleb Hector, Kareem James, Samuel John, Akeem Leben, Cathal Long, Marcus Manoo, Odell Marshall, Keyshon Mendez, Joseph Nivet, Wasim Ollivierre, Leon Pantor, Jordan Rodriguez, Darnell Roper, Akeem Shem, Tevin Shortt, Elon Thomas.