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Canada has named their lineup to face the USA in Ottawa this weekend with a clear emphasis on final roster spots for the World Cup. Four final cuts to the squad will be made on Sunday following the match. Much of the first string side has been rested, and there nine changes and two positional switches from the team that lost to the Eagles in the dying moments of the match in Burnaby just over a fortnight ago.
Aaron Carpenter captains the side for a second consecutive match in the absence of Tyler Ardron, starting in the familiar no8 jersey for the first time since this identical matchup in Toronto, nearly two years ago to the day. Ray Barkwill steps into the vacancy at hooker, with Doug Wooldridge beside at tighthead.
Montreal native Jon Phelan retains his spot at lock and is joined by a familiar face in Doncaster clubmate Tyler Hotson, while Nanyak Dala starts for the first time this year after coming off the bench as a reserve at Swangard Stadium. Kyle Gilmour moves to the bench, with Richard Thorpe not in the match day roster.
Gordon McRorie returns after missing the previous match with a minor injury, and he partners Nathan Hirayama for the first time in a new halfback combination. Hirayama is back in after impressing with his tactical kicking against Samoa in round 3 of the Pacific Nations Cup. Jamie Mackenzie drops out but will play for the Ontario Blues against the ARP Selects in the second match of the day to get game time.
Try-scorer Nick Blevins is handed a start in the midfield where he will hope to repeat his heroics of the last match, only this time with a better team result. Outside him Conor Trainor returns to his preferred no13 jersey after having a difficult outing on the wing in Burnaby.
Returning to the Canadian lineup for the first time since June of last year is Agen winger Taylor Paris, who has recovered from a groin problem to take the left wing jersey. Phil Mackenzie takes over from Jeff Hassler on the right side, with Harry Jones once again gaining valuable experience at the fullback position.
Canada have played six tests to date at 6,000 capacity Twin Elm Park, the last being a 20-18 win over Fiji in the 2013 Pacific Nations Cup. This will be the first time they have faced the Eagles in the nations capital.
CANADA
1 Hubert Buydens 2 Ray Barkwill 3 Doug Wooldridge 4 Tyler Hotson 5 Jon Phelan 6 Nanyak Dala 7 John Moonlight 8 Aaron Carpenter (capt.) 9 Gordon McRorie 10 Nathan Hirayama 11 Taylor Paris 12 Nick Blevins 13 Conor Trainor 14 Phil Mackenzie 15 Harry Jones
16 Benoît Pifféro 17 Djustice Sears-Duru 18 Andrew Tiedemann 19 Evan Olmstead 20 Kyle Gilmour 21 Phil Mack 22 Ciaran Hearn 23 Matt Evans
