Vodafone Flying Fijians coach, John McKee is working on developing the next crop of players in the build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

With a number of players who featured in this year’s tournament expected to phase out their international careers over the next four years prior to the next World Cup, McKee will look to develop local players from the national under-20 side as well as the Telecom Fiji Warriors to compete for spots against overseas-based reps.

“The current Flying Fijians are a very experienced group which means we’ve got some guys in the older age group who just by age won’t be available next time around. I’ve got really start looking towards 2019 and bringing some of these younger players in. I think we are developing a very good program here.”

The Vodafone Flying Fijians will compete in an Oceania qualifier over the next two years in order to qualify for the 2019 World Cup.

McKee adds the Telecom Fiji Warriors will tour Uruguay next year for a two-match series while the Vodafone Fiji Under-20 side will compete in the Junior World Trophy in Zimbabwe.