OAKMEADIANS head coach Hughton Campbell has been tasked with steering minnows Jamaica towards the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

The 52-year-old, whose parents hail from the Caribbean island, accepted a surprise invitation to take the reins and will lead the squad at a pre-qualifying tournament in Trinidad this weekend.

Charminster-based Campbell, who lends his expertise to the women’s rugby set-up at Bournemouth University, will preside over pool clashes with Guyana, Turks & Caicos and Martinique.

Leamington-born Hughton said: “I am excited. It is an honour to be invited to coach a country I love in a sport that is my out-and-out passion.”

Should Jamaica advance as one of two successful teams from the tournament, they would play further World Cup qualifiers in Hong Kong ahead of 2018's competition proper in San Francisco.

Hughton coaches England women’s university sevens players in the south region.

Among the talents at his disposal in the Jamaican squad will be Bradford Bulls wing Omari Caro.

Jamaica are currently 84th in the world rankings.