Belgium confirm squad for Canada test

Belgium have confirmed their squad of 25 players to prepare for Saturday’s match against Canada in Halifax. As with their hosts, it’s a mix of experience and youth with several leading players opting out of the one-off test.

Included are 11 who play their club rugby in France. Four of those are based in the Nationale, the third professional division, while the rest play at the semi-pro level. Flankers Jérémie Brasseur and Jean-Maurice Decubber will make the jump to the Pro D2 after Massy Essonne secured promotion.

Of the local talent all but two featured for the Brussels Devils, Belgium’s entry into the Rugby Europe Super Cup. New caps are second row Florent Lenaertz, versatile halfback Noé Finfe, and outside back Marco Zandona.

Only 11 of of the squad were in Belgium’s match day squad that were shut out by Canada this past November. Notable additions are loosehead prop Lucas Sotteau, midfielder Guillaume Piron, and winger Dazzy Cornez. All are experienced internationals and regulars for their French clubs.

PROP
Samuel Opsomer (Soignies / Brussels Devils)
Lucas Sotteau (Oloron, FR)
Basile van Parys (Oudenaarde / Brussels Devils)
Bruno Vliegen (Marcq, FR)

HOOKER
Alexis Cuffolo (Berbezieux Jonzac, FR)
Joachim Piérart (Frameries / Brussels Devils)

SECOND ROW
Maximilien Hendrickx (Niort, FR)
Florent Lenaertz (Ottignies / Brussels Devils)
Guillaume Mortier (Marmande, FR)

BACK ROW
Michael Abrahams (Kituro / Brussels Devils)
Jérémie Brasseur (Massy Essonne, FR)
Toon Deceuninck (Kituro / Brussels Devils)
Jean-Maurice Decubber (Massy Essonne, FR)
Lucas Rassinfosse (Bourgoin, FR)

SCRUMHALF
Marius Dehoust (Soignies)
Gauthier Petit (Morlaàs, FR)

FLYHALF
Henri Dequenne (Soignies / Brussels Devils)
Noé Finfe (Frameries / Brussels Devils)

CENTER
Viktor Pazgrat (Frameries / Brussels Devils)
Guillaume Piron (Blagnac, FR)
Basile Poupaert (La Hulpe / Brussels Devils)

OUTSIDE BACKS
Dazzy Cornez (Mâcon, FR)
Hugo de Francq (Soignies / Brussels Devils)
Hugo Ruelle (Soignies / Brussels Devils)
Marco Zandona (Boitsfort)