Canada confirms ARC Staff

Canada has confirmed their staff for the Americas Rugby Championship. As reported on Monday, veteran second row Jamie Cudmore has been included as a forwards and defense coach, and will be with the squad for the first three matches of the tournament while he recuperates from a neck injury suffered while playing with French club Clermont Auvergne in December.

Interim head coach François Ratier is also joined by a pair of CRC finalist head coaches. Graeme Moffat of the tourney-winning Wolf Pack will be attack coach after attending the World Cup as a skills specialist. The Ontario Blues contribute Chris Silverthorn as forwards coach, having been part of the last ARC coaching team in 2014. World Cup scrum coach Mike Shelley continues in the same role, as does strength & conditioning coach Andy Evans.

Team analyst James Kent has previously worked with Ratier in the same role during the 2014 Women’s World Cup, as well as with the men’s side during the 2014 Pacific Nations Cup as an assistant analyst. The manager’s role will be split between the Wolf Pack’s Jim Kazakoff and Ontario’s Mark Winokur, while the team doctor is Dr. John Gillis of Halifax.

Head Coach – François Ratier
Attack Coach – Graeme Moffat
Forwards Coach – Chris Silverthorn
Forwards/Defense Coach – Jamie Cudmore
Scrum Coach – Mike Shelley
Analyst – James Kent
Managers – Jim Kazakoff & Mark Winokur
Strength & Conditioning – Andy Evans
Doctor – Dr. John Gillis