Pierce called up, starts against Argentina XV

Cameron Pierce has joined up with the Canadian squad for the South American leg of the Americas Rugby Championship. The 24-year-old had a breakthrough year with French club Pau last season but has struggled to get Top 14 game time after missing a large chunk of the season with injury and now competing against five other senior locks in the rotation. At 2 metres tall (6’7″) he should provide a boost to the lineup against a strong looking Argentina XV on Sunday in Rosario.

Meanwhile scrumhalf Gordon McRorie has made the trip but not yet recovered from the knock that kept him out of the big win over Brazil in Langford. Understudy Andrew Ferguson stepped up to both the scrumhalf and goal kicking duties in his first test start and came away with 13 points in a solid performance, and will continue in the role for the match.

Patrick Parfrey will partner McRorie Ferguson in place of Gradyn Bowd, with Brock Staller moving from centre to fullback. Phil Mackenzie is restored to the lineup in Staller’s outside centre slot.

Up front there is a return to the run-on side for captain Hubert Buydens, and Djustice Sears-Duru moves to tighthead prop for the first time in an international, and interesting change that will test his versatility. PEI native Kyle Baillie earns a first test start beside Pierce, and the back row remains intact.

With Liam Chisholm joining Kyle Gilmour on the disabled list and Paul Ciulini unavailable due to school commitments, there are slim pickings for the reserves and Rob Brouwer will cover lock in an emergency, a position he has filled before at representative level with the Ontario Blues. Wolf Pack prop Ryan Kotlewski is named to his first ARC squad of 2016, as is Alex Mascott, normally a hooker but tasked with covering the back row alongside Mike Hamson. Jake Robinson covers scrumhalf and Brett Johnson the wide spaces in the absence of Joe Dolesau, forced to remain home with work priorities.

The match kicks off at 5pm local time, 3pm EST, 12pm PST and will be broadcast live on ESPN3. A broadcast for Canadian viewers has yet to be confirmed.

EDIT: Gordon McRorie has failed a late fitness test and Andrew Ferguson will now start at scrumhalf. Outside back Brett Johnson is added to the bench and Jake Robinson now covers halfback.

CANADA vs Argentina XV
1 Hubert Buydens (capt.) 2 Ray Barkwill 3 Djustice Sears-Duru 4 Kyle Baillie 5 Cameron Pierce 6 Lucas Rumball 7 Alistair Clark 8 Clay Panga 9 Andrew Ferguson 10 Patrick Parfrey 11 Duncan Maguire 12 Nick Blevins 13 Phil Mackenzie 14 Dan Moor 15 Brock Staller

16 Eric Howard 17 Ryan Kotlewski 18 Rob Brouwer 19 Alex Mascott 20 Mike Hamson 21 Brett Johnson 22 Gradyn Bowd 23 Jake Robinson