Caribbean class

The West Indies Exiles, a team made up from players from both the Caribbean Islands and from players based in the UK, will travel to York to play in the tournament, which is rapidly becoming an attraction for international teams.

They are the latest of several high-profile international teams to sign, reflecting the growing profile of the tournament.

The team is made from top rugby union players from across the Caribbean and Bermuda, the Exiles regularly competing in the Cayman Islands 7s, the London City 7s and the Argentina 7s.

Playing for the Exiles will be Peter-George Baccus who starred for Trinidad in last year's union sevens tournament in the Commonwealth Games. He will be joined by West Indies International Euan Wilson, Barbadian star, Kurt Johnson and Bermudan Jonathan Cassidy.

The Exiles were attracted to the tournament after hearing about the success of the pioneering South Asia Bulls team who entered the York International 9s last year. They were the first team to represent South Asia at any sport.

Said West Indies Exiles team manager Franka Philip: "The success of the South Asia Bulls in last year's tournament encouraged us to enter.

"The York 9s presents us with a great opportunity to show people that we do play rugby in the West Indies. Rugby is a growing sport and we are hoping to develop rugby further.

"We would eventually like to introduce Rugby League to the Caribbean and we would welcome involvement from any league players of West Indies' heritage. There have been many black RL stars over the years and it would be great for some of them to become involved."

Enthused tournament director Jeremy Coupland: "We welcome the West Indies to the rugby league community.

"Rugby League is a sport with a diverse cultural background and there are already many players with African Caribbean origin involved in the sport."

Updated: 10:18 Saturday, May 03, 2003