May 11, 2017
Bermuda to Face Mexico in Rugby Americas North Opener
Photo: Bermuda Rugby
Doug Coil
The Rugby Americas North Championship will be played from May 13 to June 17 with the USA Rugby South Panthers, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Mexico competing in a round robin competition for the title.
Last year, USA Rugby South did not compete as the tournament doubled as a Rugby World Cup qualifier. Mexico won the series, but then lost to Colombia.
Bermuda will host Mexico on Saturday, May 13 at 6pm at the National Sports Center in the opening 2017 Rugby Americas North – North Zone Championship match.
Bermuda National Team Coach Brian Archibald has selected a team comprised of a combination of veterans and youth. Eight players will make their Bermuda National XV debuts in Corey Boyce, Ben Green, Calum Maule, Simon Petler, Dick Reno, Chiquon Smith, Anthony Sousa & Tyler Kendall. Bermuda’s 2017 Player of the Year, Tashon DeSilva will be in midfield, while veteran Chris Taylor will be at flyhalf.
The front row will have a number of options with Dustin Archibold, Jahan Cedanio, Mikey Williams, Conor McGlynn and Simon Petler. The backrow choices include Pete Dunkerly, Aldo Campbell, Dick Reno, Adam Richards and Darren Richardson. Thomas Greenslade, Ben Green and Anthony Sousa could also find some playing time there.
The backs will include Chris Taylor, Tom Healy, Dan Cole and Rich Cumbers as halfbacks, while seeking to exploit the speed of Calum Maule, Chiquon Smith, Corey Boyce and Jahniko Francis.
Bermuda’s Men’s National Rugby XV vs Mexico
Forwards: Dustin Archibold, Aldo Campbell, Jahan Cedanio, Pete Dunkerly, Ben Green, Thomas Greenslade, Conor McGlynn, Simon Petler, Dick Reno, Adam Richards, Darren Richardson, Anthony Sousa & Mikey Williams.
Backs: Corey Boyce, Dan Cole, Rich Cumbers, Tashon DeSilva, Jahniko Francis, Tom Healy, Tyler Kendall, Calum Maule, Chris Naylor & Chiquon Smith
Mexico
Las Serpientes Head Coach Ruben Duque has named his squad to face Bermuda in their opening Rugby Americas North – North Zone Championship match. Mexico’s squad is an experienced one as eleven of his starters faced Colombia in a qualifier last year. They include Roberto Calderón, Max Douek, Marcos Flegmann, Mizeal Loredo, Pascal Nadaud, Simón Pierre, Gonzalo Pons, Santiago Prieto, Andrés Rodriguez, Fharid Samano and Agustín Sánchez.
Mexico: Marcos Flegmann, Pascal Nadaud, Franco Guerrero, Rodrigo Marquez, Mizael Loredo, Max Douek, Gonzalo Pons, Simón Pierre, Andrés Rodríguez, Luis Arredondo, Diego Ramírez, Victor Oliva, Carlos Fernández, Agustín Sánchez, Fharid Samano, Rodrigo Ripoll, Pedro Morales, Jean Paul Zisa, Sebastián Díaz, Gustavo Ruiz, Roberto Calderón, Tobias Hernández and Santiago Prieto.
Rugby Americas North Schedule
- May 13: USA Rugby South v Cayman Islands
- May 13: Mexico v Bermuda
- May 27: Mexico v USA Rugby South
- May 27: Bermuda v Cayman Islands
- June 17: USA Rugby South v Bermuda
- June 17: Cayman Islands v Mexico
