Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The summer schedule will wrap up for Canada on Sunday as they host Spain at TD Place in Ottawa. It’s a match that was not originally on the cards, with Los Leones stepping in to replace the French Barbarians on relatively short notice.
Belgium provided little opposition to the Maple Leafs in Halifax last weekend. Canada led by just 10 points at halftime but ran away in the second half to finish 45-0. Kingsley Jones has made four changes to the run-on side, one enforced.
Cole Keith comes in at loosehead prop while injury to Josh Larsen sees Corey Thomas moving up into the second row. Luke Campbell fills the vacant No8 spot, with Matthew Oworu handed his first start at the expense of Michael Smith. Lucas Rumball moves to openside flanker.
In the backs it’s a straight swap at scrumhalf with Ross Braude starting and Jason Higgins on the bench. Notably there is no specialist tighthead in reserve with Tyler Rowland also ruled out, while Oxford University’s Piers von Dadelszen is set for his test debut. The 22-year-old covers lock but is more suitably a back row forward.
Spain have had a disjointed schedule with a month between their matches against the Classic All Blacks and the Barbarians, the latter taking place on June 25. This will be their 8th match of the calendar year and could well be the last in charge for long-time coach Santiago Santos.
Alejandro Alonso makes just his second start at outside center, but otherwise this is an experienced Leones lineup. Captain Fernando Lopez wins his 61st test cap while flyhalf Manuel Ordas boasts significant professional experience in the Top 14.
There are three new caps among the reserves. Ekain Imaz and Ignacio Piñeiro are each capable of playing lock or loose forward. Both are just 19 and come from the academy programs of Biarritz and Clermont Auvergne respectively. 26-year-old Pedro de la Lastra is the reserve winger.
This is the first time Spain have traveled to Canada, with both previous encounters taking place in Madrid. The Canadians were victorious on both occasions but have since slipped six spots below the 15th-ranked Leones in the World Rankings. Spain are a giant step up in opposition from Belgium and should be considered favorites despite the travel.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 1pm Pacific, 10pm Madrid time. A live broadcast will be available on TSN and their digital services.
CANADA
1 Cole Keith, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Jake Ilnicki, 4 Corey Thomas, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Matthew Oworu, 7 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 8 Luke Campbell, 9 Ross Braude, 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 Djustice Sears-Duru, 19 Piers von Dadelszen, 20 Michael Smith, 21 Jason Higgins, 22 Dawson Fatoric, 23 Gradyn Bowd
SPAIN
1 Fernando López (capt.), 2 Vicente Del Hoyo, 3 Jon Zabala, 4 Manu Mora, 5 Victor Sánchez, 6 Michael Hogg, 7 Matt Foulds, 8 Afa Tauli, 9 Tomás Munilla, 10 Manuel Ordas, 11 Gauthier Minguillon, 12 Álvar Gimeno, 13 Alejandro Alonso, 14 Jordi Jorba, 15 JW Bell
Replacements: 16 Santiago Ovejero, 17 Thierry Futeu, 18 Bittor Aboitiz, 19 Ekain Imaz, 20 Ignacio Piñeiro, 21 Facundo Munilla, 22 Bautista Güemes, 23 Pedro de la Lastra
Date: Sunday, July 10
Venue: TD Place, Ottawa
Kick-Off: 16:00 local (13:00 Pacific)
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Kahlil Harrison (USA)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)
Broadcasts: TSN
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2017-11-18 – Spain 27-37 Canada (Madrid)
2010-11-13 – Spain 22-60 Canada (Madrid)
