Canada to test depth in June tests

Canada coach Kingsley Jones has named a squad of 30 players to take part in the upcoming June international series against Scotland, Russia, and the USA. Included is the majority of his first choice side but several overseas professionals will be rested with an eye to being fully fit in time for the all-important World Cup Repechage series in November.

The side will also see a change in captaincy. Glasgow Warriors winger DTH van der Merwe will take over the role with incumbent Phil Mack and Chiefs forward Tyler Ardron named as vice-captains. van der Merwe co-captained the side along with Brett Beukeboom during the 2017 June internationals.

Mack is one of three Major League Rugby players included. He is not expected to stay with the team for all three fixtures due to coaching commitments with the Seattle Seawolves. The others included are both hookers – clubmate Ray Barkwill and Eric Howard of the New Orleans Gold. Howard is recalled after being left out of the Americas Rugby Championship squad.

Also selected are three members of the Ontario Arrows high performance group. Second row Paul Ciulini, scrumhalf Andrew Ferguson, and winger Kainoa Lloyd all played for the Canada Selects against the Arrows in their recent two-match series. Ciulini returns to contention two years after his last test appearance.

Other top professionals included are Newcastle Falcons prop Jake Ilnicki and second row Evan Olmstead, and Ospreys winger Jeff Hassler. Djustice Sears-Duru and Shane O’Leary arrive from Ealing Trailfinders. All five will move to new clubs next season.

There is one uncapped player named in UBC Thunderbirds utility back Theo Sauder. Capable of playing flyhalf, wing, or fullback, the 21-year-old is a graduate of the national u20 program but is yet to make a senior appearance for Canada. Sauder led UBC to a Rounsefell Cup Final appearance earlier in the month.

Kyle Baillie misses out after undergoing shoulder surgery and Ciaran Hearn is continuing his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury. Matt Tierney, Brett Beukeboom, Matt Beukeboom, Conor Trainor, Dan Moor, Taylor Paris, and Matt Evans have been left out to rest and participate in full preseason programs after coming through injury-disrupted seasons.

Three players have been left out to concentrate on the upcoming Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco. Loose forward Admir Cejvanovic, midfielder Connor Braid, and fullback Andrew Coe will take no part in the June series.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

FORWARDS
Noah Barker (James Bay), Djustice Sears-Duru (Ealing Trailfinders, UK), Ray Barkwill (Seattle Seawolves, US), Eric Howard (New Orleans Gold, US), Jake Ilnicki (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Cole Keith (James Bay), Ryan Kotlewski (Westshore), Paul Ciulini (Ontario Arrows), Conor Keys (UVic Vikes), Josh Larsen (Otago, NZ), Evan Olmstead (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Dustin Dobravsky (Castaway Wanderers), Matt Heaton (Darlington Mowden Park, UK), Lucas Rumball (James Bay), Tyler Ardron (Chiefs, NZ), Luke Campbell (James Bay)

BACKS
Andrew Ferguson (Ontario Arrows), Phil Mack (Seattle Seawolves, US), Gordon McRorie (Calgary Hornets), Shane O’Leary (Ealing Trailfinders, UK), Theo Sauder (UBC Thunderbirds), Nick Blevins (Calgary Hornets), Guiseppe du Toit (UVic Vikes), Doug Fraser (Castaway Wanderers), Ben LeSage (UBC Thunderbids), Cole Davis (Calgary Saints), Jeff Hassler (Ospreys, UK), Kainoa Lloyd (Ontario Arrows), DTH van der Merwe (capt., Glasgow Warriors, UK), Patrick Parfrey (James Bay)

INJURED/RESTED/UNAVAILABLE
Matt Tierney (Pau, FR), Brett Beukeboom (Cornish Pirates, UK), Matt Beukeboom (Pau, FR), Kyle Baillie (London Scottish, UK), Admir Cejvanovic (Canada 7s), Connor Braid (Canada 7s), Ciaran Hearn (London Irish, UK), Conor Trainor (Nevers, FR), Dan Moor (Oxford University, UK), Taylor Paris (Castres, FR), Matt Evans (Cornish Pirates, UK), Andrew Coe (Canada 7s)

FIXTURES
June 9 – vs Scotland – Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
June 16 – vs Russia – Twin Elm Park, Ottawa
June 23 – vs USA – Wanderers Grounds, Halifax