Buydens back for World Cup Qualifiers

Hubert Buydens returns after a year on the sidelines to join the Canadian team for the upcoming June international series and the Americas 1 World Cup qualifying series against the US Eagles. The veteran loosehead has been out of action since a serious knee suffered while on PRO Rugby duty with the San Diego Breakers prior to last year’s June tests. Also named in the 32-man 33-man roster is Tyler Ardron, who has been absent from international rugby since leading Canada to the 2015 World Cup.

Other notable inclusions are two uncapped players in flyhalf Shane O’Leary, who arrives from Connacht in Ireland, and UBC Thunderbirds fullback Andrew Coe. The T-Birds also supply winger Sean Duke, whose exceptional HSBC Sevens Series career came to a close in 2016. Duke won the last of his 11 test caps against Namibia in November 2014.

Former captain Aaron Carpenter returns with eyes on a new Canadian cap record as he currently sits on 75, just one behind all-time leader Al Charron. Newcastle Falcons lock Evan Olmstead, Northampton Saints prop Jake Ilnicki, Worcester Warriors inside back Connor Braid and Guinness Pro 12 champion DTH van der Merwe return to the team after missing out on the Americas Rugby Championship. Ciaran Hearn comes in from London Irish but there is no sign of clubmate Jebb Sinclair, one of three key absentees along with outside backs Jeff Hassler and Matt Evans.

The status of retiring star Jamie Cudmore remains a mystery. After announcing the end of his professional playing career there has been speculation that he would return for one last run with the Canadian team against the USA. Cudmore himself has not made a public statement on his availability and despite being absent from the initial squad there remain those hopeful that he will be a surprise inclusion when the final 26-man roster for the two-game series to play the Eagles is announced.

One player who is certain to miss out on the first two tests is Taylor Paris. The France-based winger will join up with the team for the first match against the USA in Hamilton.

[ed. note – Benoît Pifféro was erroneously left out of the original Rugby Canada release]

FORWARDS
Rob Brouwer (Ontario Blues), Hubert Buydens (Saskatoon Wild Oats), Jake Ilnicki (Northampton Saints, UK), Djustice Sears-Duru (Glasgow Warriors, UK), Matt Tierney (Pau, FR), Ray Barkwill (Castaway Wanderers), Eric Howard (Ontario Blues), Benoît Pifféro (Blagnac, FR), Brett Beukeboom (Cornish Pirates, UK), Liam Chisholm (UVic Vikes), Conor Keys (UVic Vikes), Evan Olmstead (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Tyler Ardron (Ospreys), Kyle Baillie (Westshore), Aaron Carpenter (Doncaster Knights, UK), Admir Cejvanovic (Burnaby Lake), Matt Heaton (Darlington Mowden Park, UK), Lucas Rumball (Balmy Beach)

BACKS
Andrew Ferguson (Ontario Blues), Phil Mack (James Bay), Gordon McRorie (UBCOB Ravens), Gradyn Bowd (UVic Vikes), Connor Braid (Worcester Warriors, UK), Shane O’Leary (Connacht, IR), Nick Blevins (UBCOB RAvens), Guiseppe du Toit (UVic Vikes), Ciaran Hearn (London Irish), Connor Trainor (Vannes), Sean Duke (UBC Thunderbirds), Dan Moor (Ontario Blues), Taylor Paris (Agen, FR), DTH van der Merwe (Scarlets, UK), Andrew Coe (UBC Thunderbirds)

STAFF
Head Coach – Mark Anscombe
Assistant Coach – Graeme Moffat
Forwards Coach – Mike Shelley
Defense Coach – Kelly Brown
Analyst – Aaron Takel
Manager – Mark Winokur
Strength & Conditioning – Michael Deasy
Athletic Therapist – Mallory White
Athletic Therapist – Alistair Wilson
Team Doctor – Dr. Steve Martin

CANADA’S JUNE INTERNATIONALS
June 10 – 14:00 PT, 15:00 MT, 17:00 ET – vs Georgia – Calgary Rugby Park, Calgary
June 17 – 14:00 PT, 15:00 MT, 17:00 ET – vs Romania – Ellerslie Park, Edmonton
June 24 – 12:00 PT, 13:00 MT, 15:00 ET – vs USA – Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton (RWC Qualifier)
July 1 – 15:00 PT, 16:00 MT, 18:00 ET – vs USA – Torero Stadium, San Diego (RWC Qualifier)