Canada confirm squad for World Rugby u20 Trophy

Jeff Williams has confirmed his 26-man roster for the World Rugby u20 Trophy, to be played in Montevideo starting on August 29. Canada qualified for the tournament by virtue of a win on aggregate over the USA in a two-match series in June. It marks a return to the second-tier u20 competition after missing out to the Junior All-Americans in 2016.

Of the 23 players that took the field against the USA this year all but one will travel to Uruguay. UBC winger Elias Ergas misses out due to injury with Jack McCarthy of the Vandals in St. John’s called up in his place. Other additions to the squad are Thunderbirds midfielder Niko Clironomos and versatile Shawnigan Lake back Evan Norris.

Canada will compete in Pool A at the tournament, grouped with Chile, Japan, and Namibia. The team that lifts the Trophy will automatically qualify for the 2018 World Rugby u20 Championship, the highest level of international u20 rugby. Streaming details for the u20 Trophy are still to be confirmed by World Rugby.

FORWARDS
Nick Frost (UBC Thunderbirds), Cole Keith (Belleisle Rovers), Dewald Kotze (UBCOB Ravens), Liam Murray (Langley), Connor Sampson (UBC Thunderbirds), Jack McRogers (Aurora Barbarians), Steven Ng (Capilano), Matt Beukeboom (Pau, FR), Thomas Davidson (Toronto Scottish), Liam Doll (UBC Thunderbirds), Jamie McNaughton (McMaster Marauders), Lachlan Currie (Bond University, AU), James O’Neill (UVic Vikes), Jake Thiel (Abbotsford)

BACKS
Fraser Hurst (UBC Thunderbirds), William McDougall-Percillier (Cowichan), Will Kelly (Brantford Harlequins), Brennig Prevost (UVic Vikes), George Barton (capt., Clermont Auvergne, FR), Niko Clironomos (UBC Thunderbirds), Evan Norris (Shawnigan Lake), Josh Thiel (Bishop Burton College), Cole Davis (Canberra Royals, AU), Jack McCarthy (Vandals), Anton Ngongo (Castaway Wanderers), Aidan McMullan (SABRFC)