Rugby Americas North (RAN) confirmed the 11 men’s teams including Bermuda set to compete in its 2021 RAN Sevens in Providenciales, Turks, and Caicos from October 16th - 17th.
Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, RAN Sevens, and Turks & Caicos all have been confirmed.
Held at the picturesque Meridian Fields, the two-day tournament marks the highly anticipated return to international competition from the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The tournament also acts as a qualifier for next year’s World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, with the winning side gaining the opportunity to compete for the 16th and final spot on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Dates and details for that competition have yet to be announced.
Rivals Jamaica and Mexico, who both competed earlier this year in the World Rugby Tokyo 2020 Olympic repechage in Monaco, head into the tournament as arguable favorites. The two sides finished the 2019 RF Group Sevens as silver (Jamaica) and bronze (Mexico) medal winners behind Canada at Truman Bodden Sports Complex two years ago.
Barbados will be looking to build off their impressive performance this past weekend at the RugbyTown 7s at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado. Coach Joe Whipple’s team bowed out of the tournament in the Bowl Semi-Final with an overall 2-3 record and impressive wins over USA Airforce and North American Lions.
The Cayman Islands, which hosted the tournament in 2019, will be looking for an improved performance from their 5th place finish two years ago. CRFU delighted their hometown fans with a Shield Final win over an experienced Guyana side who showed their brilliance throughout the weekend.
Bermuda and Guyana both took part in the 2019 event, finishing in 4th and 6th place respectively. Guyana finished the 2018 event as a silver medal winner, losing to Jamaica in the Cup Final, while Bermuda won the bronze medal.
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