Keisha Hill, Star Reporter

National rugby coach Victor Hyde - Junior Dowie

The Jamaica Youth Under-20 Rugby team have created history in the English-speaking Caribbean by becoming the first Caribbean team to qualify for the International Rugby Board (IRB)Youth Under-20 Rugby World Trophy to be held in Santiago, Chile from April 15-30.

Twenty-six players will depart the island today for Chile to complete preparations for the event. According to senior coach, Victor Hyde, the team has to become acclimatised to the high altitude conditions that exist in Chile in order to play at their highest level.

"The team is mentally and physically prepared for the challenge and we are looking forward to an exciting tournament. But we want the team to become familiar with the climate in order for them to perform at their optimum level," Hyde said.

"Our strength lies in our speed. We will be coming up against much bigger players, and will therefore have to rely on speed and less on attacking to avoid direct contact with the other team," he said.

An eight-member delegation will accompany the Under-20 team which will be led by Jacob Thompson, chairman of the Jamaica Rugby Union. Thompson stated that, "with the limited resources available to the union, the team has prepared well and will make Jamaica proud."

Thompson emphasised that most of the players are from inner-city communities, but have been able to make the journey through the kind assistance of the IRB and the Jamaican government.

"The IRB has assisted us with airfares, hotel accommodation and an extra £9000 to prepare the team in training, nutrition and transportation. The Jamaican government have given us $200,000 so far and we are anticipating another endorsement soon," he said.

Jamaica will go up against Georgia, Uruguay and Korea in Group B. The winner of which will go onto the semi-final round to be played on April 23. The final match-up of the competition is scheduled for April 27.