BC Bears name squad to face Canada XV

Connor Braid headlines the BC Bears squad to face a Canada XV in Langford on Saturday. Now released from his contract with Aviva Premiership club Worcester Warriors, the inside back looks set to play a leading role during the Canadian Rugby Championships in July and August but will first take part in the June test series for Canada.

New head coach Tony Healy has named 29 players in his first selection of the year including seven members of the Rounsefell Cup champion UBC Thunderbirds and four from finalists Burnaby Lake. Phil Mack is listed among the playing group despite also taking up a coaching role with the side, and there is a surprise return to representative honors for dual international winger Sean Duke, one of four capped players in the group.

Americas Rugby Championship lock Liam Chisholm is the only forward with test experience. Burnaby Lake props Anthony Luca and Ryan Ackerman have represented Canada ‘A’, as has James Bay loose forward Travis Larsen. South African prop Clint Lemkus is named as an import after making a big impression with the Thunderbirds in the CDI Premier League.

The backs feature in-form UBC scrumhalf Jorden Sandover-Best and Canada ‘A’ reps in centre Doug Fraser and fellow Castaway Wanderers standout Anton Ngongo. New Zealand-born fullback Aaron McLelland is a second import in the side, having represented the Maple Leafs 7s side despite being well short of gaining residency qualifications.

FORWARDS
Ryan Ackerman (Burnaby Lake), Neil Courtney (UBC Thunderbirds), Clint Lemkus (UBC Thunderbirds), Anthony Luca (Burnaby Lake), Paul Ahn (UBCOB Ravens), Noah Barker (James Bay), Jordan Reid-Harvey (Capilano), Liam Chisholm (UVic Vikes), Shea Wakefield (James Bay), Connor Weyell (UBC Thunderbirds), Luke Campbell (James Bay), Connor Hamilton (UBC Thunderbirds), Travis Larsen (James Bay), Nakai Penny (UBC Thunderbirds), Tua Va’a (Westshore), Taitusi Vikilani (Burnaby Lake)

BACKS
Phil Mack (James Bay), James Pitblado (UVic Vikes), Jorden Sandover-Best (UBC Thunderbirds), Connor Braid (James Bay), Harjun Gill (UBCOB Ravens), Doug Fraser (Castaway Wanderers), Mike Nieuwenhuysen (James Bay), Josh Thiel (Abbotsford), Sean Duke (UBC Thunderbirds), Anton Ngongo (Castaway Wanderers), Kimi Vunituraga (Burnaby Lake), Aaron McLelland (UBCOB Ravens), Brandon Schellenberger (Castaway Wanderers)