O’Leary set for Canada trials

Canadian fans have been given an early boost ahead of the June test series with the confirmation that Shane O’Leary has committed to representing Canada at senior international level. The Irish-born flyhalf was a standout performer for the 2013 national u20 side, qualifying by virtue of a New Brunswick-born mother, but had until now turned down overtures to represent Canada at test level, largely due to his contract with Connacht that required him to remain Ireland-eligible. With his time at the Guinness Pro 12 side now over he is free to make his claim for the troublesome Canadian No 10 shirt with an eye to participating in the 2019 World Cup.

O’Leary is one of four uncapped players included in Mark Anscombe’s Canada XV squad selected to play in a trial match against the BC Bears at Westhills Stadium in Langford on Saturday. The team will run out under the ‘Pacific Tyee’ banner, a name previously used in the Canadian Rugby Championship in 2012 after a dispute with the BCRU left Rugby Canada to manage the de facto provincial side independently. Why Saturday’s selection will use this name is presently unclear.

Two recent national u20 graduates are included in a senior selection for the first time. Second row Adrian Wadden gets a look having also been part of the Canada ‘A’ for the August tour and the Americas Pacific Challenge. UBC fullback Andrew Coe is included having cemented his spot in the Rounsefell Cup final, and versatile Atlantic Rock prospect Aidan McMullan looks to be selected as an outside back with the ability to cover virtually the entire backline.

Five overseas professionals are present in the forwards including prop trio Jake Ilnicki, Djustice Sears-Duru, and Matt Tierney. Second row Matt Beukeboom and flanker Matt Heaton arrive from England, and two players ship in direct from a short spell in New Zealand in the form of Conor Keys and Kyle Baillie. Making the journey from France is midfielder Conor Trainor, who joins O’Leary as the only full-timers among the backs.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 6pm following the conclusion of Day One of the HBSC Women’s Sevens Series event also in Langford that day. The match will not be streamed live.

FORWARDS
Rob Brouwer (Ontario Blues), Jake Ilnicki (Northampton Saints, UK), Djustice Sears-Duru (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Matt Tierney (Pau, FR), Ray Barkwill (Castaway Wanderers), Eric Howard (Ontario Blues), Brett Beukeboom (Cornish Pirates, UK), Conor Keys (UVic VIkes), Adrian Wadden (James Bay), Kyle Baillie (Westshore), Matt Heaton (Darlington Mowden Park, UK), Lucas Rumball (Ontario Blues), Admir Cejvanovic (Burnaby Lake)

BACKS
Andrew Ferguson (Ontario Blues), Gordon McRorie (UBCOB Ravens), Gradyn Bowd (UVic Vikes), Shane O’Leary (Connacht, IR), Nick Blevins (UBCOB Ravens), Guiseppe du Toit (UVic Vikes), Conor Trainor (Vannes, FR), Aidan McMullan (SABRFC), Dan Moor (Castaway Wanderers), Brock Staller (UBCOB Ravens), Andrew Coe (UBC Thunderbirds)