Ontario Blues announce Alberta roster

The Ontario Blues have made their first roster announcement of the year, naming their traveling 23 to take on an Alberta Select XV next weekend in Edmonton. With the first match of the 2016 Canadian Rugby Championship just two weeks following, the game is an opportunity for some old faces to put down a marker and some new ones to prove themselves ahead of the new season.

Included are 10 senior internationals, eight in the forwards, accompanied by three members if February’s Canada u20 squad and several seasoned provincial players. It’s an impressive group especially considering the number of quality players who are absent from last year’s team. Ray Barkwill, Djustice Sears-Duru, and Matt Tierney have moved on to professional contracts and stalwarts Scott Dunham and Derek Daypuck have retired from rep rugby. No8 Seb Pearson is still recovering from a long-term injury and not expected back until mid-June.

The front row looks particularly well-manned, with four capped players including Americas Rugby Championship squad members Rob Brouwer and Eric Howard. Tom Dolezel has recovered from a broken arm, and Doug Wooldridge returns from a short-term contract with Clermont Auvergne in France to bolster the tighthead side. Versatile prospect Brendan Blaikie covers hooker, having played loosehead prop as well for the national u20s, and there is a new face in Western Mustangs standout Armin Gurdic.

Paul Ciulini has enjoyed a meteoric rise from the national u20s to the ARC over the past year. The powerful lock joins Canada ‘A’ cap Hank McQueen and another promising u20 select, Dillon Goos, to cover the engine room. ARC flanker duo Alistair Clark and Lucas Rumball are part of a strong loose forward group that includes experienced campaigner Mike Sheppard and another international in Andrew Wilson.

Scrumhalf Andrew Ferguson is another who has enjoyed a breakout year, putting Gordon McRorie under real pressure for the Canadian no9 jersey. Veteran utility back Josh Campbell provides cover. Oshawa’s Matt Alexander returns at flyhalf with top u20 prospect Mitch Richardson his understudy.

There is no shortage of pace and a bit of muscle in the midfield and outside backs. Dan Moor is coming off a notable ARC tournament with Canada while Trent Cooper is another from the u20 group that traveled to Texas. Crusaders centre Dan West, a former Canada u21 standout, returns to the team after a three year break. Johnny Sheridan made his Blues debut last August against the ARP Selects, and he is joined by Cobourg native Brandon McLeod and speedy fullback Dan Mathie.

The match kicks off at 1pm local time, 3pm Eastern at Ellerslie Park on Sunday, May 22.

FORWARDS
Rob Brouwer (Lindsay), Tom Dolezel (London St. George’s), Armin Gurdic (London St. George’s), Doug Wooldridge (Lindsay), Brendan Blaikie (Markham Irish), Eric Howard (Brantford Harlequins), Paul Ciulini (Aurora Barbarians), Dillon Goos (London St. George’s), Hank McQueen (Balmy Beach), Alistair Clark (Bay Street), Lucas Rumball (Balmy Beach), Mike Sheppard (Brampton Beavers), Andrew Wilson (Oakville Crusaders)

BACKS
Josh Campbell (London St. George’s), Andrew Ferguson (Oakville Crusaders), Matt Alexander (Oshawa Vikings), Mitch Richardson (Stoney Creek), Trent Cooper (Oshawa Vikings), Dan Moor (Balmy Beach), Dan West (Oakville Crusaders), Brandon McLeod (Guelph Redcoats), John Sheridan (Markham Irish), Dan Mathie (Oakville Crusaders)

Head Coach – Chris Silverthorn
Assistant Coach – Paul Connelly
Manager – Mark Winokur
Performance Analyst – Rodin Lozada
Athletic Therapist – Chris Kelly