Test Match Preview – Portugal vs Canada

Canada open their two-match European tour against Portugal in Lisbon on Saturday. It’s the first contest for the North Americans following the bitter disappointment of missing out on Rugby World Cup 2023, having crashed out of the Qualifiers in Chile last month.

Kingsley Jones retains his post as Head Coach despite the loss and he has shuffled the deck somewhat as the Canadian Men look to end a challenging year on a higher note. To that end only three of the forwards who started in the second test in Valparaíso are retained and there are also changes to the backline.

It’s a new front row with Toronto Arrows pair Cole Keith and Andrew Quattrin teamed up with tighthead prop Jake Ilnicki. Corey Thomas drops to the bench with Conor Keys handed a start at lock, and with no Tyler Ardron to call on Michael Smith is handed his first test start at openside flanker, with captain Lucas Rumball shifting to the blindside.

An interesting chance in the backs sees Spencer Jones moving to the flyhalf spot, having played all of his rugby both in MLR and at test level as an inside center. Peter Nelson, the only European-based professional in the team, moves to fullback for just the third time in a Canadian shirt. Quinn Ngawati gets the call in the vacant No12 position.

EDIT: Late changes see Peter Nelson and Tyler Rowland drop out of the match day squad. Robbie Povey now wears the No15 shirt with Lockie Kratz called up to the bench. Uncapped loosehead prop or hooker Foster DeWitt is a straight substitute for Rowland as a front row reserve.

There is experience on the bench in front rowers Eric Howard and Djustice Sears-Duru, and a recall to the squad for World Cup lock Josh Larsen. Pacific Pride winger Isaac Olson, 21 years old, could make his test debut as a replacement.

Os Lobos are very much still in the qualifying picture for RWC 2023 and are currently four spots above Canada at No19 on the World Rugby Rankings. Patrice Lagisquet does not have a full compliment of his top French pros but does have a relatively settled group of domestic talent at his disposal.

Notables up front include current Dax and former Sale Sharks tighthead Diogo Ferreira, Grenoble lock José Madeira, and strong-running eightman Thibault de Freitas who plays his club rugby for La Seyne in France. Reserve loosehead prop André Arrojado is the only uncapped player in the squad.

The backline is headlined by veteran midfield duo Tomás Appleton and José Lima, the former captaining the team and the latter a regular for Pro D2 side Carcassonne. Wingers Rodrigo Marta, 21, and Raffaele Storti, 20, are both beginning to make their mark at senior level after excelling for Portugal’s age grade sides. Storti now plays alongside Canadian scrumhalf Will Percillier at Stade Français.

Fair weather is expected which suggests ideal conditions to spring Portugal’s dangerous outside backs. While Os Lobos haven’t played test rugby since July, their domestic players have all been involved in the Rugby Europe Super Cup competition with the Lusitanos XV.

Portugal have never defeated Canada in four previous tests but they have shown significant improvement in the eight years since their last meeting. Given home field advantage, greater continuity, superior recent form, and access to a few key France-based players, Os Lobos should be considered clear favorites to earn a first win over their guests.

Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. A live stream will be available worldwide on Portugal Rugby TV or alternatively their Vimeo channel page.

PORTUGAL
1 David Costa, 2 Duarte Diniz, 3 Diogo Ferreira, 4 José Madeira, 5 Duarte Torgal, 6 Rafael Simões, 7 David Wallis, 8 Thibault de Freitas, 9 Pedro Lucas, 10 Jerónimo Portela, 11 Rodrigo Marta, 12 Tomás Appleton (capt), 13 José Lima, 14 Raffaele Storti, 15 Nuno Guedes

Replacements: 16 André Arrojado, 17 Loïc Bournonville, 18 Francisco Bruno, 19 Eric Dos Santos, 20 Manuel Picão, 21 João Belo, 22 Jorge Abecasis, 23 Manuel Cardoso Pinto

CANADA
1 Cole Keith, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Jake Ilnicki, 4 Conor Keys, 5 Kyle Baillie, 6 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 7 Michael Smith, 8 Siaki Vikilani, 9 Ross Braude, 10 Spencer Jones, 11 Kainoa Lloyd, 12 Quinn Ngawati, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Brock Webster, 15 Robbie Povey

Replacements: 16 Eric Howard, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Foster DeWitt, 19 Corey Thomas, 20 Josh Larsen, 21 Lockie Kratz, 22 Jason Higgins, 23 Isaac Olson

Date: Saturday, November 6
Venue: CAR Rugby do Jamor, Lisbon
Kickoff: 15:00 Local (08:00 Pacific, 11:00 Eastern)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant Referees:  Ben Blain (Scotland) & Adam Leal (England)
TMO: n/a
Broadcasts: Portugal Rugby TV

HISTORIC RESULTS
2013-11-23 – Portugal 8, Canada 52 (Lisbon, Portugal)
2010-11-27 – Portugal 20, Canada 23 (Lisbon, Portugal)
2008-11-01 – Portugal 13, Canada 21 (Lisbon, Portugal)
2007-08-18 – Canada 42, Portugal 12 (Ottawa, Canada)