Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Jason Marshall will take no part in the World Cup. Canada’s starting tighthead prop from the 2011 tournament had been struggling to regain full fitness with knee and back injuries hampering his build-up, and though he was named to the bench against Georgia last Wednesday he did not make an appearance. Instead he started against Fiji on Sunday at the Stoop, but lasted only ten minutes, damaging ribs that will take several weeks to heal.
A replacement is already in the squad in the form of Jake Ilnicki, who came on to replace Marshall in the match after being called up as cover for Doug Wooldridge and Andrew Tiedemann, both of whom will remain in the team.
Ilnicki had spent the season playing for Sydney club Eastern Suburbs and was omitted from the original World Cup squad after appearing in only one match during the Pacific Nations Cup. He signed for the NSW Country Eagles in the NRC competition but was allowed only one replacement appearance on August 29 before being recalled to international duty.
The Canadian squad is also managing injuries to Harry Jones and captain Tyler Ardron, with both in serious doubt for the Ireland match but hopeful of resuming shortly after.
