Sheppard, Ferguson called up to Pacific Challenge

Canada have been forced to call in emergency reinforcements to their Americas Pacific Challenge campaign. Mike Sheppard of the Ontario Blues and BC Bears veteran Sean Ferguson have joined the team in Montevideo ahead of their game against the USA Selects. Sheppard will jump straight from the plane into a bench role while Ferguson will not dress for the match. The pair replace Nanyak Dala and Dan Moor, who were both injured in the opening round match against the Argentina XV.

This will be Sheppard’s first crack at a Canadian jersey. The 27-year-old from the Brampton Beavers has been a staple in the Blues squad since first selected in 2013. A former OUA All-Star with the McMaster Marauders, the 6’4″ forward is comfortable either in the second or back rows.

Ferguson, 26, has previously represented Canada at u20 level and also on the HSBC Sevens Series. He was also part of the Canada ‘A’ side that contested the 2014 Americas Rugby Championship. More recently he has been seen with the BC Bears in the Canadian Rugby Championship, though he did not play during the 2016 season. Most often selected at fullback, Ferguson has seen action at every position in the backline in representative rugby. He arrives direct from the UBC Old Boy Ravens club in Vancouver.

Uruguay have also called up two replacements. Old Christians captain and hooker Martín Espiga is recalled to the squad five years after winning the last of his 28 caps for Los Teros, while winger Andrés Rocco of Old Boys is recalled having participated in the Nations Cup. Both players will start the Round 2 fixture against the Argentina XV on Wednesday.