THE Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) yesterday announced the names of 27 players ahead of its team’s clash against Barbados tomorrow at the National Park Rugby Field. A blend of players from their historic squad last year and some new faces will look to help Guyana overcome the ‘Bajans’ and aim to retain their North American and Caribbean Ruby Association (NACRA) title.

Head coach Theodore Henry said that the squad, compared to that of last year, is “roughly the same, but we’ve added a few more players and we’re a bit fitter this year, given the fact that we are preparing for the Hong Kong Sevens at the same time. The team is going to be well prepared and ready to go.”
Unlike the previous year, the GRFU is preparing both their 15s and 7s teams for international engagement with Henry, the recently named National Sports Commission Coach-of-the-Year at the helm at the squads.
Asked if Guyana will be guarded in their approach to avoid injuries before their Sevens campaign, Henry pointed out, “We’re not cautious at all because when you play on the international circuit, you will play one tournament this weekend and next weekend it’s another. But who knows, we might or might not pick up an injury or two but I think we got enough depth to cover if we pick up an injury or two”
GRFU president Peter Green reminded that “it’s an advantage when the two teams blend because the game against USA (South) in Atlanta, Guyana switched to 7s format and that made the difference.”
The final 23 will be announced on the day of the game (tomorrow) which Henry said is being done to guard against players getting comfortable and not willing to work as hard to make the team.
The Guyana National 15s team: Claudius Butts, Ryan Gonsalves, Kevon David, Joesph Rahaman, Allain Crawford, Cyon Kitt, Avery Corbin, Rickford Cummings, Theodore Henry, Richard Staglon, Phabion Joseph, Rondell McArthur, Peabo Hamilton, Godfrey Broomes, Jose Felicien, Jamal Angus, Akeem Fraser, Jason Tyrell, Dwayne Schroeder, Leon Greaves, Lancelot Adonis, Jermaine Prowell, Grantley Williams, Troy Bascom, Blaise Bailey, Delroy Gordon and Ronald Mayers.