The USA Rugby South continues its rivalry against Mexico Jan. 19^th at Life University in the first round of the North American Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) 15s championship.

The competition is single elimination. If the South beats Mexico, it advances to play the winner of Jamaica and Turks and Caicos. If it advances past the second round, it travels to The Bahamas in March. If the South keeps winning, it could wind up playing Cayman and Bermuda in May.

The South visited Mexico in Mexico City in 2011 in the same competition, losing narrowly with a squad consisting of mostly DII and DIII players. That team then went to Jamaica and won 55-6 in Kingston. In 2012, the South welcomed NACRA champion Bermuda to Life for a friendly, beating the visitors 36-33.

This time around, the South will be represented by a similar group of players, with an injection of DI talent from Life. The coaching staff is comprised solely of college coaches – David Conyers of Kennesaw State, Rene Daniel of Emory, Wes Darwin of South Alabama and Jody Hensley of Middle Tennessee State.

There’s more college flavor on the roster, too. Florida State coach Kirk Swanner will start at No. 8 and Florida Gator flyhalf Lucas Baistrocchi at No. 10. 2012 Atlantic Coast Rugby League co-player of the year Amir Khan is the starting outside center, former Davenport standout and current Life men’s team member Demecus Beach is on the travel squad and former Arkansas State and current Life wing Clint Whittler is in the starting lineup.