Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
It’s been four months since our last look at Canada’s depth chart. While there have been no official selections since, we are now at the midpoint of the Major League Rugby season and can use club form as a guide to making some reasonable though not entirely objective adjustments.
Canada’s July test schedule is now set with games against Wales and England on July 3 and 10 respectively. With only two games the traveling group will be smaller than usual, likely between 26 and 28 players. A roster should be unveiled in mid-June leaving precious little time for players currently on the fringes to force their way in.
Worth noting is that the games clash with the business end of the MLR schedule. This may complicate selections with some players possibly left behind who might have normally traveled. The obvious sticking point is the caliber of opposition, which demands the best possible Canadian representation.
With the games now in the UK it makes sense that many of Canada’s European-based contingent will be included to reduce travel demands. That could see a bolter or two selected from academy sides, or perhaps new players identified with Canadian qualifications.
The list has been increased from 42 to 44 players, with two additional ‘traveling reserves’ named to reflect the approved expansion of World Cup rosters from 31 to 33 for the 2023 tournament. While this opens opportunities for some, it further highlights a lack of experience outside the starters.
CANADA
| ## | NAME | CLUB | POS | CAPS |
FIRST XV
| 1 | Djustice Sears-Duru | Seattle Seawolves | LH | 52 |
| 2 | Andrew Quattrin | Toronto Arrows | HO | 5 |
| 3 | Matt Tierney | Castres (FR) | TH | 22 |
| 4 | Evan Olmstead | Biarritz (FR) | LO | 33 |
| 5 | Kyle Baillie | NOLA Gold | LO | 29 |
| 6 | Lucas Rumball | Toronto Arrows | FL | 35 |
| 7 | Matt Heaton | Rugby ATL | FL | 28 |
| 8 | Tyler Ardron (c) | Castres (FR) | N8 | 37 |
| 9 | Will Percillier | Stade Français (FR) | SH | 2 |
| 10 | Peter Nelson | Bressane (FR) | FH / FB | 7 |
| 11 | Doug Fraser | Old Glory DC | WI / CE | 4 |
| 12 | Quinn Ngawati | Rugby United New York | CE | – |
| 13 | Ben LeSage | Toronto Arrows | CE | 16 |
| 14 | Jeff Hassler | Austin Gilgronis | WI | 27 |
| 15 | Patrick Parfrey | Toronto Arrows | FB | 32 |
Matt Tierney’s regular game time with Castres sees him promoted to the starting role. With Cole Keith now focused on loosehead for the Arrows, Tierney should be considered a specialist tighthead for Canada. Jake Ilnicki moves to the replacements list. While the Seawolves have struggled, Djustice Sears-Duru’s form is sufficient to hold the No1 shirt for now with Keith still adjusting to his new role.
Similarly Will Percillier’s advancement with Stade Français makes him a clear choice at No9. Shane O’Leary has had more game time in a higher French division than Peter Nelson, but the latter has been preferred by the selectors to this point so Nelson retains his position.
Taylor Paris is ruled out with injury so Doug Fraser’s strong form with Old Glory is rewarded with a spot on the wing. The other wing is a concern with Jeff Hassler facing a race against time to see any game time for Austin prior to the tour. If he is unavailable it could be clubmate Cole Davis who benefits.
Guiseppe du Toit has dropped down the pecking order for the Arrows leaving the No12 spot wide open. Patrick Parfrey is required at fullback given the lack of options, which could see uncapped Quinn Ngawati elevated despite featuring heavily on the wing for Rugby United New York. An alternative could be to play Nelson or Robbie Povey at fullback which would allow Parfrey to play at inside centre.
REPLACEMENTS
| 16 | Eric Howard | NOLA Gold | HO | 25 |
| 17 | Cole Keith | Toronto Arrows | LH / TH | 16 |
| 18 | Jake Ilnicki | Seattle Seawolves | TH | 38 |
| 19 | Tyler Duguid | Montpellier (FR) | LO | – |
| 20 | Corey Thomas | LA Giltinis | FL / N8 | – |
| 21 | Ross Braude | Toronto Arrows | SH | – |
| 22 | Shane O’Leary | Rouen Normandie (FR) | FH | 14 |
| 23 | Spencer Jones | Toronto Arrows | CE | – |
Tyler Duguid vaults into the match day 23 thanks to his recent call-up to Montpellier’s senior squad. The loose forward reserve spot is somewhat problematic with no obvious No8 back-up to Tyler Ardron. More consistent game time sees uncapped Corey Thomas added for his ability to cover lock, blindside flanker, or No8. Toronto’s Mike Sheppard could be another option here though Thomas’ age profile tips the scales in his direction.
The rapid rise of Ross Braude sees the new Arrows starter taking a bench spot. Spencer Jones has only just returned but with Josh Thiel out injured and many backline alternatives tied up with Olympics preparations, Jones could be summoned immediately. 20-year-old Ciaran Breen, who will join Carcassonne next season, is a potential bolter.
TRAVELING RESERVES
| 24 | Jordan Olsen | Northland (NZ) | HO | – |
| 25 | Pat Lynott | Toronto Arrows | LH | – |
| 26 | Tyler Rowland | Toronto Arrows | TH | – |
| 27 | Josh Larsen | New England Free Jacks | LO | 15 |
| 28 | Matt Beukeboom | Montauban (FR) | FL / LO | 3 |
| 29 | Luke Campbell | Old Glory DC | N8 / FL | 13 |
| 30 | Jason Higgins | Toronto Arrows | SH | – |
| 31 | Robbie Povey | Houston SaberCats | FH / FB | 4 |
| 32 | Lockie Kratz | Seattle Seawolves | CE | 2 |
| 33 | Cole Davis | Austin Gilgronis | WI | 5 |
Jordan Olsen’s recent inactivity counts against him with New Zealand’s provincial competition ending months ago. At prop it’s the second-choice Arrows pair who have seen the most game time relative to their Houston counterparts. Matt Beukeboom could be an option to start on the blindside flank depending on how the selectors opt to balance the back row.
The third-choice scrumhalf is up for debate with any of Jason Higgins, Andrew Ferguson, or Utah’s Fraser Hurst a possibility though it’s unlikely a third specialist will be taken to Europe. Robbie Povey’s fine form with Houston sees him back in contention while Lockie Kratz has taken his chances with NOLA to jump ahead of both du Toit and George Barton.
NON-TRAVELING RESERVES
| 34 | Jack McRogers | Toronto Arrows | HO | – |
| 35 | Liam Murray | Houston SaberCats | LH | – |
| 36 | Nik Hildebrand | Houston SaberCats | TH | – |
| 37 | Conor Keys | Rugby ATL | LO | 18 |
| 38 | Michael Smith | San Diego Legion | FL | – |
| 39 | Travis Larsen | San Diego Legion | N8 / FL | – |
| 40 | Andrew Ferguson | Toronto Arrows | SH | 10 |
| 41 | Will Kelly | Toronto Arrows | FH | 1 |
| 42 | Guiseppe du Toit | Toronto Arrows | CE | 14 |
| 43 | Karsten Leitner | Seattle Seawolves | WI | – |
| 44 | Nick Taylor | Seattle Seawolves | FB | – |
Jack McRogers moves up the line at hooker with LA’s Lindsey Stevens another putting his hand up. Prop remains an issue with Marc-Antoine Ouellet only recently joining the Arrows camp and without any MLR game time. Of the two Houston props Nik Hildebrand has seen the most action.
It’s difficult to gauge where Conor Keys sits in the eyes of selectors with the rise of Duguid and Thomas adding to what is already a competitive position. Arrows pair Paul Ciulini and Adrian Wadden are others to consider, with Austin’s Reegan O’Gorman working his way back to full fitness. Mason Flesch has emerged as a lock option with Toronto but is more likely a loose forward at international level.
In the back row injuries to Nakai Penny and most recently Moe Abdelmonem sees San Diego openside Michael Smith leap into the frame. If it’s decided to leave either Matt Heaton or Lucas Rumball with their clubs he looks next in line for the No7 shirt.
France-based academy duo Quentin James and Logan Weidner could also be looked at. Injury has deprived Siaki Vikilani of any game time thus far with the Arrows, while Marcello Wainwright, also currently sidelined, and Kolby Francis have had limited opportunities.
Will Kelly is certainly a player of interest for the selectors but is still short of game time in MLR. Arrows teammate Mitch Richardson is part of a midfield group that includes aforementioned du Toit, Barton, and Breen. Thiel’s untimely knee injury leaves options thin in other areas.
The retirement of DTH van der Merwe, loss of Paris and potentially Hassler as well, and Tokyo priority leaves the outside backs particularly thin. Karsten Leitner and Nick Taylor are added to the list despite sharing only two match appearances between them this season. The selectors may look to bolster their immediate options with players not on the final Olympic roster though it has yet to be confirmed.
A detailed and expanded player pool can be seen here.
