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Ciaran Hearn has been recalled by Liam Middleton to take part in the all-important Olympic Repechage Qualifier taking place in Monaco on Saturday. The tournament is the last chance to earn a spot at Rio 2016, with only the winner offered an invitation. Hearn returns to the lineup having missed the entire HSBC Sevens Series after signing a professional contract with London Irish following the 2015 World Cup.
The addition of Hearn is one of only two changes made to the squad that competed at the final leg of the HSBC Sevens Series in London last month. Leading points scorer Nathan Hirayama returns from a hand injury in another significant boost to the side. Dropping out are Matt Mullins and Sean White, the latter of whom has appeared on all 10 stops on the HSBC circuit over the past six months.
Other players who featured during the season but will not travel to Monaco are injured veterans Sean Duke and Nanyak Dala, and young guns Luke Bradley, Pat Kay, and Luke McCloskey.
Canada have had a difficult season, failing to qualify for the Cup knock-outs at any of the 10 legs. Their 13th place overall finish was the lowest since the 2011-12 season when they were not a core team. Uruguay, Sri Lanka, and Germany have been drawn alongside Canada in Pool B.
All matches will be streamed live by World Rugby.
CANADA 7s
Phil Berna, Admir Cejvanovic, Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Nathan Hirayama, Ciaran Hearn, Harry Jones, Phil Mack, John Moonlight (capt.), Conor Trainor, Adam Zaruba
Head Coach – Liam Middleton
Assistant Coach – Lee Douglas
Manager – Brian Hunter
Physiotherapist – Danielle Mah
Analyst – Calum Ramsay
DAY ONE FIXTURES
Sat, June 18 – 02:44 PT, 05:44 ET – vs Uruguay
Sat, June 18 – 05:59 PT, 08:59 ET – vs Sri Lanka
Sat, June 18 – 09:36 PT, 12:36 ET – vs Germany
