Canada have named a group of 34 players to take part in a Senior Men’s training camp in Calgary ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup, which this year double as qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup. The winner of the August 22 test against the USA at McMahon Stadium will almost certainly earn a ticket to Australia, though it won’t be formally determined until the knock-out stage of the PNC.
Shane O’Leary is one of seven names who were not part of the squad during the July internationals against Belgium and Spain. The Miami Sharks goal kicker could make his first test appearance since 2019. RFC LA prop Conor Young and Utah Warriors winger Nic Benn return after shaking off knee injuries. Both Mason Flesch and Ben LeSage were part of the squad last month but did not play due to injury.
One-time Toronto Arrows prop Alexandre Janlin is called into a Canadian squad for the first time. The 30-year-old plays his club rugby in France, one of only a small number currently based abroad though none are currently attached to fully professional outfits. UBC scrumhalf Stephen Webb and Pacific Pride pair Austin Creighton and Karl Hunger are the other uncapped inclusions.
The media release does not say whether any of a number of notable absentees might join the squad in time for next week’s match against the Eagles. Evan Olmstead returned to the group after a six-year hiatus in July but will miss the training camp. Among others who might have been expected to be part of a full-strength lineup are Andrew Quattrin, Tyler Ardron, Andrew Coe, and Brock Webster.
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Alexandre Janlin (L’Isle Jourdain, FR) uncapped
Cali Martinez (Old Glory DC) 8 caps
Emerson Prior (Utah Warriors) 1 cap
Foster DeWitt (New England Free Jacks) 6 caps
HOOKER
Austin Creighton (Pacific Pride) uncapped
Dewald Kotze (Seattle Seawolves) 6 caps
Jesse Mackail (Seattle Seawolves) 3 caps
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Cole Keith (New England Free Jacks) 37 caps
Kyle Steeves (New England Free Jacks) 3 caps
Conor Young (RFC Los Angeles) 12 caps
SECOND ROW
Callum Botchar (NOLA Gold) 5 caps
Karl Hunger (Pacific Pride) uncapped
Izzak Kelly (Capilano) 8 caps
Piers von Dadelszen (New England Free Jacks) 6 caps
BACK ROW
Mason Flesch (Chicago Hounds) 13 caps
Matt Heaton (RFC Los Angeles) 35 caps
Matthew Oworu (Chicago Hounds) 10 caps
Sion Parry (Ebbw Vale, UK) 9 caps
Lucas Rumball (Chicago Hounds) 60 caps
SCRUMHALF
Brock Gallagher (Seattle Seawolves) 7 caps
Jason Higgins (Chicago Hounds) 20 caps
Stephen Webb (UBC Thunderbirds) uncapped
FLYHALF/FULLBACK
Cooper Coats (NOLA Gold) 19 caps
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) 28 caps
Shane O’Leary (Miami Sharks) 14 caps
MIDFIELD
Noah Flesch (Chicago Hounds) 4 caps
Spencer Jones (Utah Warriors) 9 caps
Ben LeSage (New England Free Jacks) 37 caps
Talon McMullin (UBC Thunderbirds) 6 caps
OUTSIDE BACKS
Nic Benn (Utah Warriors) 6 caps
Brenden Black (Canada Sevens) 1 cap
Kainoa Lloyd (United Rugby Club, NZ) 24 caps
Josiah Morra (New England Free Jacks) 7 caps
Isaac Olson (New England Free Jacks) 6 caps
