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Nick Jordan, in Barbados courtesy of the Barbados Tourism Authority

Barbados. A choppy Atlantic Ocean meeting a calm Caribbean Sea. A mix of pristine beaches and water conditions to allow any form of water sport. Some of the Caribbean’s best hotels and nightlife. And the finest Rugby Sevens teams in the region on display this weekend.

Fifteen men's and 11 women's teams take to the historic Garrison Savannah for the 2011 DHL North America Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Rugby Sevens Championships starting tomorrow.

It is the largest turnout in the tournament's history and sees more than 300 players suiting up just outside of the capital Bridgetown.

Reigning champion Guyana, second seeded Jamaica and Mexico will be favoured to do well in the men's competition. Mexico was the best-performed of the NACRA nations in the recent Pan-Am Games in Guadalajara. The 'Serpents' finished in sixth place behind Chile after beating Guyana 14-7 on Day Two, although the latter had won the first round encounter 12-5.

Coach Simon Pierre has named the same Mexican squad and says his aim is to win the tournament after finishing in third place last year.

Guyana includes regulars Theo Henry, Kevin McKenzie and Claudius Butts and has an unparalleled record at the NACRA Sevens - five titles in the past five years - which they will be eager to continue.

Last year's runner-up Jamaica have already launched a 'Road to Rio' campaign and see this tournament as a great indicator of their progress five years out.

The Cayman Islands, with their exciting mix of locals and ex-pats, could be the dark horse in the field which sees four pools tomorrow before the usual knockout play on Sunday.

At the other end of the scale the Dutch territory of Curacao make their debut at the event while the Turks & Caicos and a team from the USA South, coached by former women's national coach Julie McCoy, return for the first time since 2007.

In the women's draw the title is likely to be decided between Guyana - like their men the defending champion - and Trinidad and Tobago who finished second last year. USA South and the Canada 'Maple Leafs' are also expected to be strong.

Matches start at 8:20 am local time (12:20 GMT) on Saturday and 9:00 am Sunday (13:00 GMT) while the women’s final is at 4:20 pm and the men’s at 4:50 pm on Sunday.

In a first for the tournament the two days will be streamed live on the internet on www.dhlnacrasevens.com

Title sponsor DHL International are joined by Banks Breweries Limited, the Barbados Tourism Authority, Barbados Olympic Association and Tourism Development Corporation as lead sponsors while JADA Builders Limited, TeleBarbados Inc., Trident Insurance Company and ELLCO Rentals are also providing support.

Pools
Men's
Pool A: Guyana, St Lucia, British Virgin Islands, Curacao
Pool B: Jamaica, Barbados, Martinique, Turks & Caicos
Pool C: Mexico, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, USA South
Pool D: Trinidad & Tobago, Guadeloupe, St Vincent & Grenadines

Women's
Pool A: Guyana, St Lucia, Mexico, USA South, Barbados
Pool B: Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Maple Leafs, St Vincent & Grenadines, Guadeloupe