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Cayman Islands head coach Phil Pretorius has named his side to play Mexico on Saturday in the North Zone final of the Rugby Americas North Championship, which this year doubles as a 2019 World Cup qualifier. The Caymans are a team on the rise and are coming off a dominant 47-11 win over Bermuda at George Town on June 18, their 8th consecutive win, but face a far greater challenge in the altitude of Mexico City against a dangerous Serpientes team.
The team has suffered through some injury disruptions including the loss of tighthead prop Phil Fourie, but has maintained continuity with virtually an identical lineup to the one that beat Bermuda. A single change in the starting roster sees Shaun McDermott elevated to the left wing in place of Venasio Tokatokavanua, who was forced to withdraw with a bad hamstring.
Among several possibles unavailable is dynamic attacker Joel Clark, whose spot on the bench goes to Mark Westin, one of four brothers set to take part. The starting fullback position is still to be confirmed with Ed Westin and Iain Currie bracketed with the non-starter set to wear the no22 shirt as a reserve.
Chris Kennedy leads a side that includes combative hooker Andre Ormond and lineout specialist Yohann Regnard. Out wide much of the Mexican attention will be given to star winger Justin Wight, who has scored in every game this season. National sevens captain Mark Soto is included on the bench.
The match kicks off at 2pm local time at the Estado de México in Dos Ríos.
CAYMAN ISLANDS
1 Jordan Southway 2 Andre Ormond 3 Johnny Gibson 4 Severiano Tabuaniwere 5 Yohann Regnard 6 Al Lum 7 Paul Westin 8 Chris Kennedy (capt.) 9 Neil Montgomery 10 Morgan Shelver 11 Shaun McDermott 12 Danno O’Connor 13 Michael Wilson 14 Justin Wight 15 Ed Westin / Iain Currie
16 Ben McDonald 17 Peter de Vere 18 Joey Westin 19 Mark Soto 20 Paul Smith 21 Ben Blair 22 Iain Currie / Ed Westin 23 Mark Westin
