• Switch Edition
Follow
Rugby World Cup
Mexico get Rugby World Cup qualifying underway
ESPNscrum Staff
March 25, 2012
Mexico's Erik Castillo celebrates a try, Mexico v Jamaica, Rugby World Cup 2015 qualifier, La Ibero, Santa Fe, Mexico City, Mexico, March 24, 2012
Mexico's Erik Castillo celebrates one of their nine tries © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Tournaments/Tours: 2015 Rugby World Cup Qualifier
Teams: Jamaica | Mexico

Mexico got qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2015 underway in fine style on Saturday, routing Jamaica 68-14 in Mexico City.

Among a record crowd of 2,000 fans were International Rugby Board (IRB) boss Bernard Lapasset and former England No.8 Lawrence Dallaglio - a World Cup-winner in 2003 who is now serving as an ambassador for the tournament.

Mexico opened their NACRA Caribbean Championship account with an easy win, running in nine tries after Dallaglio delivered a pre-game speech to the hosts.

The game was refereed by South Africa's Craig Joubert, who also took the whistle for New Zealand's victory over France in last year's World Cup Final in Auckland.

The winners of the NACRA division - which also includes the Cayman Islands, Barbados, St Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago the Bahamas and Guyana - will progress to face their South American counterparts in the next round of qualifying.

"I have been impressed by the reach, enthusiasm and professionalism of rugby in this part of the world," Dallaglio said. "The quality of rugby was good, the support superb and this occasion really reinforces the values that draw so many people to our sport."

© ESPN EMEA Ltd
Live Scores
Results
Fixtures
The Crooked Feed looks at the recent Twitter spat between Toulon's Delon Armitage and outspoken former England and Lions hooker Brian Moore

The best CVs in the rugby world?

Toulon's Heineken Cup final victory over Clermont Auvergne may have ended a long title drought for the Top 14 club but two of their players are no strangers to success

The Week in Pictures

We bring you our pick of the best pictures from around the world in the last seven days with the battle for Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup glory taking centre stage

Worcester turn to Carl Hogg?