Canada July Tests Absentee XV

It’s fair to say that the results of Canada’s tests against Wales and England during the July international window were not easy on the eyes. Also important, however, is the context of the matches.

The delayed start to the Major League Rugby season meant that preparation time was nearly non-existent and players who were available jumped straight from club into games against top tier talent. On top of that only two of Canada’s overseas professionals were available, compounding the clash with the Olympics and a handful of key injuries.

Below we take a look at the strength of the absentees and why they weren’t around in July. With the all-important World Cup Qualifiers set to begin less than a month from now, the million dollar question is how many will return to the test lineup?

1 – Pat Lynott (Toronto Arrows) Depth at loosehead prop is a real concern for Canada and led to Arrows teammate Cole Keith switching positions this season. The uncapped Lynott is a player of interest for national selectors and about level with Liam Murray but was left with the Arrows in July.

2 – Jordan Olsen (Northland, NZ) It’s not clear where Olsen stands with the selectors. The Northland captain, who qualifies for Canada through his mother, played a non-test international against the Argentina XV in 2019 but hasn’t been seen in a jersey since. LA’s Lindsey Stevens suffered a serious knee injury playing against Rugby ATL in late May.

3 – Matt Tierney (Castres, FR) First choice and a RWC 2019 select, Tierney opted to rest and spend time with family at the end of a long domestic campaign. Has already checked back into training in France. He would be a massive boost – figuratively and literally – to the squad if he is available.

4 – Tyler Duguid (Montpellier, FR) Set to make his test debut after rocketing up to the senior squad at Montpellier, Duguid in the end sat out the tour to recover from a shoulder injury sustained near the end of the Top 14 campaign. Fitness permitting he should be in the picture for September.

5 – Evan Olmstead (Biarritz, FR) A first choice lock and veteran of two World Cup campaigns, Olmstead only just returned from an ankle injury at the end of the Pro D2 season and wasn’t up to test fitness standards in July. His experience will be needed to compete against the Eagles and whatever South American opponent follows.

6 – Kyle Baillie (NOLA Gold) Initially in the conversation to captain the side in July, Baillie missed out on the tests and the rest of the MLR campaign with a broken finger. Another World Cup select who will hopefully be ready to play lock or blindside flanker in the Qualifiers. Matt Beukeboom is in the midst of switching Pro D2 clubs and was on the unavailable list for July.

7 – Matt Heaton (Rugby ATL) Ruled out of the tour with injury but recovered to play in the MLR playoffs. A starter at RWC 2019, Heaton is one of two high quality openside flankers who were unavailable along with Seattle’s Nakai Penny who suffered a season-ending upper body injury in April.

8 – Tyler Ardron (Castres, FR) Incumbent captain of two World Cup campaigns and Canada’s best known European export. Ardron is another who needed rest at the end of a grueling Top 14 season. He looks to be fit and firing at club training and one hopes will be available in the coming weeks.

9 – Andrew Ferguson (Toronto Arrows) Kingsley Jones turned the page at scrumhalf and selected young guns Ross Braude and Will Percillier, who look to be the top choices moving forward. Ferguson has 10 caps and at 29 years old is still a capable alternative, with his outstanding performance against Old Glory at the end of the MLR season a reminder of his quality.

10 – Shane O’Leary (Rouen Normandie, FR) Once again left in the cold by the selectors. O’Leary is the most experienced overseas flyhalf available to Canada and a proven goal kicker but can’t seem to convince the right people of his talents.

11 – Taylor Paris (Oyonnax, FR) Suffered an untimely Achilles injury while playing against Grenoble in April. His recovery is going well but with a late-September or October return being targeted Paris won’t be ready in time to play in the first two rounds of the Qualifiers.

12 – Connor Braid (Canada Sevens) Played the last of his 26 tests in January 2018. At 31 years old he remains in peak physical condition coming from the Olympics. The 2015 World Cup select could still be of interest with a dearth of experienced options available in the midfield.

13 – Conor Trainor (Canada Sevens) Switched his focus back to sevens after RWC 2019, his third World Cup. Like Braid he is now 31 but remains in top shape and could be an option though Ben LeSage looks to have secured the starting job at outside centre.

14 – Jeff Hassler (Austin Gilgronis) Reportedly fractured a growth plate in his arm and missed the entirety of the 2021 MLR season. It’s not clear when his return might be but Canada at least have some cover with clubmate Cole Davis and World Cup tourist Kainoa Lloyd getting the nod in July.

15 – Theo Sauder (Canada Sevens) The mercurial talent was a late call-up to RWC 2019 but didn’t see a single minute of field time. With the Olympics now over he could be in the mix for the Qualifiers, though the two Canadian stops on the Sevens Series seem to clash. Andrew Coe is another Sevens team member who played at RWC 2019 and would be welcome across the back three.