New faces in Canada team for ARC

Head coach Mark Anscombe has opted for youth in his Canadian team for the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship. Included in the 29-man group are nine uncapped players largely plucked from the national u20 program. Three players – prop Cole Keith, lock or flank Matt Beukeboom, and centre George Barton – remain eligible for the age-grade side in 2017. On the other end of the spectrum are two veteran fullbacks – 28-year-old Canada ‘A’ tourist Rory McDonell and Carl Pocock, 32, of Prairie Wolf Pack fame.

Also notable is the presence of nine overseas-based players, including Glasgow Warriors prop Djustice Sears-Duru, Vannes midfielder Conor Trainor, and Agen wing Taylor Paris. 20-year-old second row Reegan O’Gorman arrives from Christchurch, New Zealand, while Beukeboom, Barton, and Matt Tierney will fly in from Top 14 academy sides in France. Blagnac hooker Benoît Pifféro is available for the first time since the World Cup and flyhalf prospect Robbie Povey joins the team from Bedford Athletic in England.

The initial squad has been selected for the opening three matches on Canadian soil, after which the group will be re-evaluated for potential changes and likely a few departures. Canada begins their 2017 campaign against the defending champion Argentina XV at Westhills Stadium in Langford on February 4.

FORWARDS
Rob Brouwer (Lindsay), Cole Keith (James Bay), Ryan Kotlewski (Westshore), Djustice Sears-Duru (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Matt Tierney (Pau, FR), Ray Barkwill (Castaway Wanderers), Eric Howard (Brantford Harlequins), Benoît Pifféro (Blagnac, FR), Liam Chisholm (UVic VIkes), Conor Keys (UVic Vikes), Reegan O’Gorman (Marist Albion, NZ), Matt Beukeboom (Pau, FR), Admir Cejvanovic (Burnaby Lake), Ollie Nott (UVic Vikes), Clay Panga (Westshore), Lucas Rumball (Balmy Beach)

BACKS
Phil Mack (James Bay), Gordon McRorie (UBCOB Ravens), Gradyn Bowd (UVic VIkes), Patrick Parfrey (James Bay), Robbie Povey (Bedford Athletic, UK), George Barton (Clermont Auvergne, FR), Nick Blevins (Calgary Hornets), Conor Trainor (Vannes, FR), Dan Moor (Balmy Beach), Taylor Paris (Agen, FR), Brock Staller (UBC Thunderbirds), Rory McDonell (Brantford Harlequins), Carl Pocock (Calgary Rams)