Canada have declared a 28-man traveling squad for their upcoming Pacific Nations Cup test against Japan in Sendai this coming Saturday, as confirmed by Japan Rugby. Having defeated the USA in convincing fashion in Calgary, the team is now on the verge of qualification for the World Cup with only a single bonus point required against the Brave Blossoms to formally book their spot at Australia 2027.
As expected France-based forwards Evan Olmstead and Tyler Ardron will not make the trip, with flyhalf Cooper Coats also unavailable. Midfielder Talon McMullin, who did not play against the Eagles, is not among the traveling group.
Called into the squad are uncapped hooker Austin Creighton, second row Callum Botchar, scrumhalf Brock Gallagher, and flyhalf or fullback Shane O’Leary. Botchar and Gallagher both played against Belgium in Edmonton during the July test window.
Should Canada fail to secure a victory or bonus point in Sendai, the USA would need a four-try bonus point victory over Japan and a superior points differential to take Canada’s place in the PNC Semi Final. The Maple Leafs were on the short side of a 55-28 result against Japan in Vancouver last year, but did manage to score four tries in the defeat.
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Cali Martinez (Old Glory DC) 9 caps
Emerson Prior (Utah Warriors) 2 caps
HOOKER
Austin Creighton (Pacific Pride) uncapped
Dewald Kotze (Seattle Seawolves) 7 caps
Jesse Mackail (Seattle Seawolves) 4 caps
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Cole Keith (New England Free Jacks) 38 caps
Kyle Steeves (New England Free Jacks) 4 caps
Conor Young (RFC Los Angeles) 12 caps
SECOND ROW
Callum Botchar (NOLA Gold) 5 caps
Izzak Kelly (Capilano) 8 caps
Piers von Dadelszen (New England Free Jacks) 7 caps
BACK ROW
Mason Flesch (Chicago Hounds) 14 caps
Matt Heaton (RFC Los Angeles) 35 caps
Matthew Oworu (Chicago Hounds) 11 caps
Sion Parry (Ebbw Vale, UK) 10 caps
Lucas Rumball (capt., Chicago Hounds) 61 caps
SCRUMHALF
Brock Gallagher (Seattle Seawolves) 7 caps
Jason Higgins (Chicago Hounds) 21 caps
Stephen Webb (UBC Thunderbirds) 1 cap
FLYHALF/FULLBACK
Brenden Black (Canada Sevens) 1 cap
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) 29 caps
Shane O’Leary (Miami Sharks) 14 caps
MIDFIELD
Noah Flesch (Chicago Hounds) 5 caps
Spencer Jones (Utah Warriors) 10 caps
Ben LeSage (New England Free Jacks) 38 caps
WING
Nic Benn (Utah Warriors) 7 caps
Josiah Morra (New England Free Jacks) 8 caps
Isaac Olson (New England Free Jacks) 7 caps
