Ontario Blues squad named for CRC opener

The Ontario Blues will begin their quest to reclaim the MacTier Cup on Saturday when they face the Quebec-Atlantic Rock at Concordia University in Montreal. Included in their match day squad for their opening match of the 2018 Canadian Rugby Championship are 14 members of the Ontario Arrows high performance group and seven capped internationals.

Returning to the squad after spending the season abroad is Djustice Sears-Duru, who looks set to form an all-Canadian front row with Eric Howard and Rob Brouwer. Howard was part of the inaugural Major League Rugby season with the New Orleans Gold. June tests captain Lucas Rumball is named along with heavyweight lock Paul Ciulini in an impressive forward pack.

Internationals Andrew Ferguson and Kainoa Lloyd headline the backs, both seeing action with Canada in June. Shawn Windsor is set to resume flyhalf duties with fellow Arrows selects Jamie Leveridge and Mitch Richardson midfield candidates.

New names to the group include two young props in Trent Excalibur duo Mohamed Yusuf and Emerson Prior, the latter among Canada’s recently named training group for the upcoming World Rugby u20 Trophy. Second row Tom van Horne will be a Blues debutant but was a regular with the Arrows this spring.

Hamilton Hornets flyhalf Kieron Martin is named after running out with the Arrows Academy in the Eastern Canadian Super League. Hailing from England, he was part of Saracens Academy in London before spending four seasons in France with Plouzané in Fédérale 3.

Scrumhalf Riley DiNardo returns from a couple seasons with the Castaway Wanderers and the Maple Leafs Sevens development program. Kingston Panthers and Eastern Ontario flyer D’Shawn Bowen is set to make his senior Blues debut, and fullback Jesse Lofthouse was last seen in a Blues jersey against Cork Constitution in August 2016.

Coaching the team are familiar faces in Chris Silverthorn, Cory Hector, and former Canada captain Aaron Carpenter. All were involved with the Arrows program as well, along with video analyst Robin Lozada and team manager Mark Winokur.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

FORWARDS
Rob Brouwer (Lindsay / Arrows), Emerson Prior (Peterborough Pagans / Trent Excalibur), Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville Crusaders), Mohamed Yusuf (Peterborough Pagans / Trent Excalibur), Eric Howard (Brantford Harlequins / New Orleans Gold), AJ Quattrin (Aurora Barbarians / Arrows), Paul Ciulini (Aurora Barbarians / Arrows), Mike Sheppard (Stoney Creek Camels / Arrows), Tom van Horne (Brantford Harlequins / Arrows), Kolby Francis (Brantford Harlequins / Arrows), Peter Milazzo (Toronto Scottish / Arrows), Lucas Rumball (Balmy Beach), Marcello Wainwright (Toronto Scottish / Arrows)

BACKS
Riley DiNardo (Toronto Scottish), Andrew Ferguson (Oakville Crusaders / Arrows), Kieron Martin (Hamilton Hornets), Shawn Windsor (Stoney Creek Camels / Arrows), Kyle Lagasca (Guelph Redcoats / Arrows), Jamie Leveridge (Oakville Crusaders / Arrows), Mitch Richardson (Stoney Creek Camels / Arrows), D’Shawn Bowen (Kingston Panthers), Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga Blues / Arrows), Jesse Lofthouse (Markham Irish)

Head Coach – Chris Silverthorn
Assistant Coach – Cory Hector
Assistant Coach – Aaron Carpenter
Video Analyst – Rodin Lozada
Manager – Mark Winokur