Canada adds four players to UK Tour roster

Four players have been added to Canada’s roster for their two-week UK tour but two others have dropped out. Joining the squad from Major League Rugby are Corey Thomas and Siaki Vikilani, with Cooper Coats switching from the national sevens squad and UBC supplying Don Carson.

Thomas and Vikilani have passed late fitness tests to travel and fill the two spots left open from the original roster announcement two weeks ago. Thomas, originally from Australia, covers lock or loose forward while Canada u20 select Vikilani prefers the No8 position.

Carson has been selected as a blindside flanker but also plays lock for the Thunderbirds. He replaces openside flanker Matt Heaton who has been ruled out along with midfielder Spencer Jones. Canada Sevens flyhalf Cooper Coats steps in for the injured Arrow.

Kyle Baillie is set to travel with the team but is unlikely to play due to a broken finger. Kingsley Jones will have three assistants on his coaching staff – Rob Howley, Jamie Cudmore, and Phil Mack. Canada are to play Wales on Saturday in Cardiff before meeting England in London next weekend.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

FORWARDS
Jake Ilnicki (Seattle Seawolves), Cole Keith (Toronto Arrows), Liam Murray (Houston SaberCats), Tyler Rowland (Toronto Arrows), Djustice Sears-Duru (Seattle Seawolves), Foster DeWitt (Pacific Pride), Eric Howard (NOLA Gold), Andrew Quattrin (Toronto Arrows), Lucas Albornoz (Houston SaberCats), Conor Keys (Rugby ATL), Josh Larsen (New England Free Jacks), Reegan O’Gorman (Austin Gilgronis), Don Carson (UBC Thunderbirds), Lucas Rumball (Toronto Arrows), Michael Smith (San Diego Legion), Corey Thomas (LA Giltinis), Siaki Vikilani (Toronto Arrows)

BACKS
Ross Braude (Toronto Arrows), Fraser Hurst (Utah Warriors), Will Percillier (Stade Francais, FR), Cooper Coats (Canada Sevens), Will Kelly (Toronto Arrows), Peter Nelson (Bressane, FR), Spencer Jones (Toronto Arrows), Lockie Kratz (NOLA Gold), Ben LeSage (Toronto Arrows), Quinn Ngawati (Rugby United New York), Cole Davis (Austin Gilgronis), Doug Fraser (Old Glory DC), Kainoa Lloyd (Pacific Pride), Isaac Olson (Pacific Pride), Patrick Parfrey (Toronto Arrows), Robbie Povey (Houston SaberCats)