Tyler Ardron has rejoined Canada’s Senior Men’s squad ahead of their World Cup qualifying clash with the USA in Calgary on Friday. The team’s RWC 2019 captain, who plays his club rugby with Top 14 side Castres, hasn’t suited up for the Maple Leafs since they were knocked out of the RWC 2023 qualifiers by Chile in Valparaíso four years ago. He follows Agen lock Evan Olmstead as one of two France-based additions to the 28-man selection.
Others named who did not feature in the July tests are LA prop Conor Young, Chicago lock or flanker Mason Flesch, New England centre Ben LeSage, and Utah winger Nic Benn. All four missed the tests against Belgium and Spain with injury. Young hasn’t played since damaging knee ligaments while playing against the Fijian Drua in January. UBC scrumhalf Stephen Webb was named in the match day squad against Spain but did not see the field and remains uncapped.
Webb’s inclusion comes at the expense of Seattle halfback Brock Gallagher, while once-capped Brenden Black retains his spot with no place for Miami standout Shane O’Leary. First choice hooker Andrew Quattrin is currently training with French Pro D2 side Valence Romans, while star Free Jacks fullback Brock Webster is unavailable with work commitments. Other notable absentees are France-based lock Brett Beukeboom, Pumas scrumhalf Ross Braude, and LA winger Andrew Coe.
Friday’s match doubles as the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup. There are three RWC 2027 qualification spots up for grabs in the tournament, with Canada and the USA competing against Samoa and Tonga. The bottom-ranked finisher of the four will have further chances to qualify first in a play-off format, and finally in a last-gasp repechage tournament to take place in November.
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Cali Martinez (Old Glory DC) 8 caps
Emerson Prior (Utah Warriors) 1 cap
HOOKER
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
Izzak Kelly (Capilano) 8 caps
Evan Olmstead (Agen, FR) 34 caps
Piers von Dadelszen (New England Free Jacks) 6 caps
BACK ROW
Tyler Ardron (Castres, FR) 38 caps
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 (capt., Chicago Hounds) 60 caps
SCRUMHALF
Jason Higgins (Chicago Hounds) 20 caps
Stephen Webb (UBC Thunderbirds) uncapped
FLYHALF/FULLBACK
Brenden Black (Canada Sevens) 1 cap
Cooper Coats (NOLA Gold) 19 caps
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) 28 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
Josiah Morra (New England Free Jacks) 7 caps
Isaac Olson (New England Free Jacks) 6 caps
