Coe to lead Canada u20s in Texas

Andrew Coe will lead Canada’s challenge against their USA counterparts in the one-off qualifier match for the World Rugby u20 Trophy. The fullback has been appointed captain of a 26-strong group named by head coach Jeff Williams to travel to Austin, Texas, for the big match on Saturday. Coe is one of nine returning players from the team that finished runners-up in last year’s u20 Trophy tourney in Portugal.

UBC Thunderbirds prop Cali Martinez has returned to fitness and joins fellow returnees Brendan Blaikie and Matt Tierney in a strong looking front row group. Reegan O’Gorman is set to start in the second row, with Adrian Wadden covering lock or flank and dynamic no8 Luke Bradley also included. The backs feature centre Phil Berna, fresh from HSBC World Sevens Series duty, and winger Theo Sauder.

Notable newcomers include Ontario second row Matt Beukeboom, younger brother of senior cap Brett, and three overseas-based players. BC’s George Barton has been a regular in the Clermont Academy midfield since heading to France in the fall, while Northampton’s Robbie Povey and Will Manhire of London Scottish both qualify via Canadian parents. Tierney, also based in France at Pau Academy, makes it four European-based players in total, with O’Gorman playing in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The match will be played at Dell Diamond following the senior Americas Rugby Championship test between Canada and the USA. Kickoff is slated for 8:45pm local (CST) / 9:45 EST / 6:45 PST and will be streamed live with details to follow.

FORWARDS
Brendan Blaikie (Markham Irish / Queen’s Golden Gaels), Curtis Delmonico (UBCOB Ravens), Cali Martinez (Bayside / UBC Thunderbirds), Matt Tierney (Mississauga Blues / Pau, FR), AJ Quattrin (Aurora Barbarians / Laurier Golden Hawks), Connor Sampson (Burnaby Lake), Matt Beukeboom (Lindsay / Queen’s Golden Gaels), Conor Keys (Barrhaven Scottish / UVic Vikes), Reegan O’Gorman (Vancouver Rowing Club / Marist Albion, NZ), Adrian Wadden (Oakville Crusaders / McMaster Marauders), Peter Milazzo (Toronto Saracens / Western Mustangs), Nakai Penny (UBC Thunderbirds), Luke Bradley (Port Alberni / UVic Vikes)

BACKS
Cole Keffer (Capilano / UBC Thunderbirds), Keaton Porter (Aurora Barbarians), Gavin Rowell (Abbotsford / UVic Vikes), Robbie Povey (Northampton Saints, UK), Mitch Richardson (Stoney Creek / McMaster Marauders), George Barton (Cowichan / Clermont Auvergne, FR), Phil Berna (UBCOB Ravens / UBC Thunderbirds), Trent Cooper (Oshawa Vikings / James Bay), Will Manhire (London Scottish, UK), Aaron Evison (James Bay), Theo Sauder (Vancouver Rowing Club / UBC Thunderbirds), Andrew Coe (capt., Markham Irish / UBC Thunderbirds)

NON-TRAVELING RESERVES
Justin Aylward (Baymen), Foster DeWitt (Campbell River / UBC Thunderbirds), Marcello Wainwright (Toronto Saracens / Guelph Gryphons), Matt Gallagher (Bayside / UVic Vikes), Cooper Coates (Halifax Tars), Charlie McMickan (Buccaneers / Connacht, IR), Kyle Lagasca (Toronto Saracens / Guelph Gryphons), Sean Hase (UBCOB Ravens), Liam O’Hallahan (Grande Prairie Centaurs)

Head Coach – Jeff Williams
Assistant Coach – Ken Goodland
Manager – Jack Hanratty
Video Analyst – Aaron Takel
Strength and Conditioning – Gareth Lynch
Head Therapist – Jessica Smith