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Canada will play their first international of 2022 against Belgium at Wanderers Grounds in Halifax on Saturday. It’s the third match between the two sides, and the first outside of Brussels. The Black Devils were shut out by the Maple Leafs this past November.
The Canadian side is comprised almost entirely of players based in Major League Rugby. Only France-based flyhalf Peter Nelson and Canada Sevens squad members Brock Webster and Cooper Coats are exceptions in the starting lineup, though Webster in fact played five matches on loan with the Toronto Arrows this season.
Among the bench there are three others from outside of MLR. Pacific Pride contribute back row Matthew Oworu and center Dawson Fatoric, both uncapped, while Castaway Wanderers flyhalf Gradyn Bowd returns from a five-year international absence. LA Giltinis hooker Lindsey Stevens is also set to win his first cap. Originally from Australia, Stevens qualifies through his late grandfather Latham Burns.
Nelson’s inclusion at flyhalf is one of six changes from the starting team that won in Brussels. DJ Sears-Duru and Jake Ilnicki return at prop, with Josh Larsen recalled in the second row. Webster and Coats are out wide, with the latter handed the start in his home town of Halifax.
At the time of writing Belgium have not confirmed their starting lineup. Their traveling roster of 25 players includes 11 based in France, with another 13 playing together with the Brussels Devils in the Rugby Europe Super Cup. Openside flanker Jean-Maurice Decubber is the incumbent captain.
Belgium won four of their five games in the Rugby Europe Trophy, the third level of international rugby in the region behind the Six Nations Championship and the Rugby Europe Championship. They are currently ranked 26th in the world, five spots below 21st-ranked Canada.
Warm temperatures with Light rain and wind gusts up to 40km/h (25m/h) are expected at kickoff. Conditions along with short preparation time could see the two teams favoring a tactical approach. Current ranking, home field advantage, and historical results all suggest that Canada should be considered favorites to win.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 3pm Eastern, noon Pacific, 9pm Brussels time. A live broadcast will be available on TSN 4 and their digital services, with a repeat airing on TSN 2 at 6:30pm Pacific, 9:30pm Eastern, on Sunday.
CANADA
1 Djustice Sears-Duru, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Jake Ilnicki, 4 Josh Larsen, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 7 Michael Smith, 8 Corey Thomas, 9 Jason Higgins, 10 Peter Nelson, 11 Kainoa Lloyd, 12 Quinn Ngawati, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Brock Webster, 15 Cooper Coats
Replacements: 16 Lindsey Stevens, 17 Liam Murray, 18 Tyler Rowland, 19 Matthew Oworu, 20 Luke Campbell, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Gradyn Bowd, 23 Dawson Fatoric
BELGIUM (from)
Forwards: Lucas Sotteau, Bruno Vliegan, Alexis Cuffolo, Joachim Piérart, Samuel Opsomer, Basile van Parys, Maximilien Hendrickx, Florent Lenaertz, Guillaume Mortier, Jérémie Brasseur, Toon Deceuninck, Jean-Maurice Decubber, Lucas Rassinfosse, Michael Abrahams
Backs: Matius Dehoust, Gauthier Petit, Henri Dequenne, Noé Finfe, Viktor Pazgrat, Guillaume Piron, Basile Poupaert, Dazzy Cornez, Hugo de Francq, Hugo Ruelle, Marco Zandona
Date: Saturday, July 2
Venue: Wanderers Grounds, Halifax
Kickoff: 16:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 15:00 Eastern, 21:00 Brussels)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Kahlil Harrison (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
Broadcasts: TSN 4
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-11-13 – Belgium 0, Canada 24 (Brussels)
2010-11-06 – Belgium 12, Canada 43 (Brussels)
