Canada releases training camp roster

Canada has named a 35-strong training group to take part in a week-long session at Shawnigan Lake in preparation for the Pacific Nations Cup that begins on July 18. Five uncapped players are among the forwards, including hooker Owen Parfrey; second rows Evan Olmstead and Callum Morrison; and flankers Thyssen de Goede and Lucas Rumball, the latter having captained the national u20 side at the Junior World Trophy tournament in May.

The majority of the overseas contingent is included, with 18 arriving from clubs in England, France, Wales, Scotland, and Australia. Aaron Flagg and Kyle Gilmour will soon be in that group, heading to Moseley and Rotherham respectively, while Jake Ilnicki will be back from Australia in another week.

Two top pros, Jamie Cudmore and Jebb Sinclair, are currently injured and will miss the PNC, but are hopeful of being fit in time for the warm-ups starting at the end of August. Veteran flanker Nanyak Dala is also out injured, while Adam Kleeberger announced his retirement earlier in the day.

A number of players are expected to be added to the squad next week once their sevens commitments are over. Among the group currently in Toronto for the Pan Am Games are flanker John Moonlight, scrumhalf Phil Mack, and centre Conor Trainor.

Canada will play Japan, Tonga, Samoa, and a team to be determined in the PNC, which runs from July 18 to August 3. The 31-man squad to go to the World Cup will be announced following the tournament.

FORWARDS
Hubert Buydens (Castaway Wanderers), Tom Dolezel (London St. George’s), Jason Marshall (Agen), Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville Crusaders), Andrew Tiedemann (Plymouth Albion), Doug Wooldridge (Lindsay), Ray Barkwill (Castaway Wanderers), Aaron Carpenter (Cornish Pirates), Owen Parfrey (Swilers), Benoît Pifféro (Blagnac), Brett Beukeboom (Plymouth Albion), Aaron Flagg (Abbotsford), Tyler Hotson (Doncaster), Callum Morrison (UBCOB Ravens), Evan Olmstead (Parramatta), Jon Phelan (Doncaster), Cameron Pierce (Pau), Tyler Ardron (Ospreys), Thyssen de Goede (James Bay), Kyle Gilmour (St. Albert), Lucas Rumball (Balmy Beach), Richard Thorpe (London Welsh)

BACKS
Jamie Mackenzie (UVic Vikes), Gordon McRorie (Calgary Hornets), Connor Braid (Glasgow), Patrick Parfrey (James Bay), Liam Underwood (Balmy Beach), Nick Blevins (James Bay), Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers), DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow), Jeff Hassler (Ospreys), Phil Mackenzie (Sale), Taylor Paris (Agen), Matt Evans (Cornish Pirates), James Pritchard (Bedford)

INJURED/UNAVAILABLE
Jake Ilnicki (Castaway Wanderers), Jamie Cudmore (Clermont), Jebb Sinclair (London Irish), Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers)

PAN AM SEVENS
Admir Cejvanovic (Burnaby Lake), Justin Douglas (Abbotsford), Sean Duke (UVic Vikes), Mike Fuailefau (Castaway Wanderers), Lucas Hammond (Toronto Nomads), Nathan Hirayama (UVic Vikes), Harry Jones (Capilano), Phil Mack (James Bay), Matt Mullins (Belleville Bulldogs), John Moonlight (capt., James Bay), Conor Trainor (UBCOB Ravens), Sean White (James Bay)