Canada names Selects squad for Seawolves friendly

Rugby Canada has named a 31-man Selects squad to prepare for Wednesday’s friendly against the Seattle Seawolves of Major League Rugby. Included are five players with test experience, and several members of the newly-formed Vancouver Highlanders semi-professional outfit.

Almost half of the squad comes from the Pacific Pride, Canada’s centralized development program, with a dozen having suited up against the Seawolves this past Friday night. Also included are four members of the Canada Sevens program – Jake Thiel, Liam Bowman, Kobe Faust, and Jack McCarthy.

Seattle defeated the Pride 79-7 on Friday with a largely reserve lineup, and are expected to field a stronger squad on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 7pm local time at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila.

PROP
Tyler Matchem (Pacific Pride)
Sam Miller (Pacific Pride)
Colton Mocon (UBC Thunderbirds)
Griffin Phillipson (Pacific Pride)
Bryce Worden (Burnaby Lake)

HOOKER
Jacob Bossi (UBC Thunderbirds / Highlanders)
Austin Creighton (Pacific Pride)
Sam Mace (Pacific Pride / Highlanders)

SECOND ROW
Thomas Davidson (Castaway Wanderers / Highlanders)
*Izzak Kelly (UBC Thunderbirds)
James Stockwood (Pacific Pride)

BACK ROW
Braden Bruce (Pacific Pride)
Ben James (Pacific Pride)
*Matt Klimchuk (Pacific Pride / Highlanders)
Von Richardson (Pacific Pride)
Jake Thiel (Canada Sevens)
*Siaki Vikilani (Burnaby Lake)

SCRUMHALF
Jesse Kilgour (Pacific Pride)
Crosby Stewart (James Bay)

FLYHALF
Mark Balaski (Pacific Pride)
James Thiel (Pacific Pride / Highlanders)

MIDFIELD
Liam Bowman (Canada Sevens)
Takoda McMullin (UBC Thunderbirds / Highlanders)
Talon McMullin (UBC Thunderbirds / Highlanders)
*Josh Thiel (James Bay / Highlanders)
Kyle Tremblay (Pacific Pride)

OUTSIDE BACKS
Jacob Bourne (UBC Thunderbirds)
D’Shawn Bowen (James Bay / Highlanders)
Kobe Faust (Canada Sevens)
*Kainoa Lloyd (James Bay)
Jack McCarthy (Canada Sevens)

*denotes fully capped player