Five changes to Green Machine ahead of 15s clash in Barbados

The Guyana Rugby Union has made five changes to its squad as the ‘Green Machine’ prepares for a crucial match in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Tier 2 clash against host Barbados on Saturday from 12:00h.

Rondel McArthur retains the captaincy for the trip to Bridgetown, but faces a high-stakes rebuilding job. Guyana are desperate to bounce back from a heartbreaking 9-5 loss to Bermuda in April—a result that leaves them with zero room for error ahead of back-to-back matches against Barbados on June 6 and Trinidad and Tobago later this month.

In a bid to inject fresh energy and tactical depth, five key changes have been made to the travelling squad, leaning heavily on overseas reinforcement and rising domestic talent.

The Green Machine will welcome USA-based duo Kevin Braithwaite and Tyrese Prescod, alongside Great Britain-based Julius Jardim, to provide much-needed power in the pack and pace out wide.

On the domestic front, local standouts Jamal Junior and Osbert Robertson have forced their way into the roster after impressing the coaching staff in local preparation blocks.

Speaking ahead of the crunch fixture, Guyana Rugby Union President and former national player, Ryan Gonsalves, struck a tone of cautious optimism.

He indicated that it is a good squad and he firmly believes they have what it takes to do well, but warned that they will need to believe in themselves and execute under pressure.

The stakes could not be higher under RAN’s newly minted 2026 Men’s XVs promotion-relegation structure.

As part of a three-tier model to foster regional development, Tier 2 has become a highly competitive battleground.

With the Cayman Islands establishing themselves as the team to beat in the group, Guyana’s 5-9 opening loss to Bermuda means victory at the Garrison Savannah on Saturday is absolutely paramount if they want to keep their Tier 2 survival and promotion hopes alive.

Green Machine Squad: Rondel McAthhur (c), Godfrey Broomes, Osbert Robertson, Jamal Junior, Renaldo Niles, Rickford Cummings, Odida Douglas, Lionel Holder, Akino James, Shawn David, James Osborne, Gavin McPherson, Phibian Joseph, Owen Adonis, Christian Klass, Julius Jardim, Vallon Adams, Kevin Braithwaite, Tyrese Prescod, Godfrey Pollydore, Sebastian Manifie.