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Mozac Samson will start against Russia in the only change to the side that suffered a narrow defeat to Japan in Vancouver this past weekend. The Fijian-born centre replaces Brock Staller to form a home-town midfield alongside Wolf Pack teammate Nick Blevins as Canada host the Bears at Calgary Rugby Park on Saturday. Scrumhalf Gordon McRorie makes it three local favorites in the starting side, with second row Evan Olmstead also a familiar face having spent two summers in Calgary playing for the Wolf Pack in the Canadian Rugby Championship.
The team is otherwise unchanged, with Jamie Cudmore again spearheading a forward pack that impressed against the a tough Japanese scrum. Aaron Carpenter is set to win his 73rd cap, inching closer to Canada’s all-time record holder Al Charron, who lies just ahead on 76.
Head coach Mark Anscombe has reverted to a traditional 5-3 split on the bench this week, with seven players hailing from the Ontario Blues. Paul Ciulini and Matt Heaton drop out of the side, with Cameron Pierce selected as second row cover and versatile outside back Jordan Wilson-Ross taking the empty spot left by Samson’s promotion.
Liam Underwood is a surprise addition to the squad, having been released from the 7s program. The flyhalf is set to make his first test appearance since dropping out of the World Cup with injury. Matt Tierney remains the only uncapped player in the match-day 23 having been left on the bench for the entirety of the Japan game.
Kickoff in Calgary is set for 3pm local time (2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern) and the match will be broadcast live on TSN 2. Canada have beaten Russia on all three prior meetings, the last a 35-3 victory at the neutral site of Colwyn Bay, North Wales, in November 2012.
CANADA
1 Djustice Sears-Duru 2 Ray Barkwill 3 Jake Ilnicki 4 Jamie Cudmore (capt.) 5 Evan Olmstead 6 Kyle Baillie 7 Lucas Rumball 8 Aaron Carpenter 9 Gordon McRorie 10 Patrick Parfrey 11 Taylor Paris 12 Nick Blevins 13 Mozac Samson 14 Dan Moor 15 Matt Evans
16 Eric Howard 17 Tom Dolezel 18 Matt Tierney 19 Cameron Pierce 20 Alistair Clark 21 Jamie Mackenzie 22 Liam Underwood 23 Jordan Wilson-Ross
