McLarney and Bayley will step to the island's senior side

The Six Nations International Table Tennis Championships will get underway at the National Sports Centre in Douglas on Friday.

The competition will see some of Europe's leading players compete in both singles and team competitions.

IOMTTA chairman David Stevenson said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the Manx team to compete against some of the very best players around."

England, Guernsey, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man will compete.

The Isle of Man did not compete in the table tennis competition at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and Stevenson said this is their chance to shine.

This is the sort of tournament that puts the Isle of Man on the map David Stevenson

"Apart from the Island Games this is by far the biggest tournament our players compete in," he said.

"It's a great opportunity for them to play top internationals and Commonwealth medallists, especially our junior players."

The Isle of Man will give senior debuts to two of their most promising juniors in the tournament.

Mason McLarney, 15 and Rebecca Bayley, 17, will both step up to the senior team.

McLarney is the island's under-16 and 18 champion whilst Bayley is the women's under-18 champion.

Mason will be joined in the men's squad by Brian Crellin, Steve O'Hare and Scott Johnson whilst Maggie Mulhern joins Bayley in the women's team.

John Magnall and Darren Smethurst will also compete in the men's singles.

The opening ceremony will take place at the NSC at 1700 BST on Friday.

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