Jamaica A prepare to take on the touring BARLA side in Kingston on Saturday, with the hosts looking to overturn a 0-3 record against English sides.

Jamaica A Coach Romeo Monteith was looking forward to the challenge: "We are privileged to have BARLA U23s visit us. It means so much to get top quality games in Jamaica, and this BARLA team is as tough as they come, with a 19-2 record and their recent 86-0 win over Ukraine last November, we have no illusions, these guys are the real deal and we have a mountain to climb.”

The Jamaican Rugby League Association is using the tour to select the Jamaica squad that is slated to face Canada in Toronto on 21 July.

BARLA International Manager Mick Turner said: “We are here to help develop the game in Jamaica  and although this gives us the chance to blood some fresh faces in the squad the real winner will be the development of rugby league;, we also feel privileged to bring a tour out in Jamaica  with such hype around the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and with BARLA representing the British flag.”

The BARLA side will spend some time in some of the schools that have commenced rugby league programmes within the last year or so.

“These matches are needed to develop our domestic athletes and BARLA has always been about development and are happy to assist us.  We will be debuting seven players to representative football and all except two are under 22-years-old. This is good for our long term strategy to build a strong group of indigenous players who can compete internationally. Regardless of the scores in these games, rugby league in Jamaica will be the winner".