Los Angeles (AFP)
Canada XV coach Kingsley Jones announced Tuesday his 31-man roster for the World Cup in Japan (September 20-November 2), featuring four players in France.
Winger Taylor Paris and Pillar Matt Tierney, both playing in the Top 14 at Castres Olympique, three-quarter center Conor Trainor playing USO Nevers (Pro D2) and hooker Benoît Piffero, player Federal 1 with Blagnac, will be traveling in Japan.
The Canadians, who will play their last game against the United States on Saturday, will also be led by their Super Rugby captain Tyler Ardron of the Chiefs' New Zealand squad, and experienced DTH van der Merwe. it will be the fourth participation in a World Cup.
"It was a very difficult selection, but that's what we wanted," said Kingsley Jones, who hopes to have found "the right mix to be as competitive as possible".
Ranked 21st in the world, Canada was the last country to qualify for the World Cup, winning at a repechage tournament against Kenya, Germany and Hong Kong.
In Group B, Canada will start on September 26 against Italy, before facing New Zealand reigning world champion October 2, South Africa on the 8th and finally Namibia 13.
The 31 Canadians for the World Cup:
Forwards (17): Tyler Ardron (Cape / Waikato Chiefs / NZL), Kyle Baillie (New Orleans Gold / USA), Justin Blanchet (no club), Hubert Buydens (no club), Luke Campbell (Toronto Arrows), Matt Heaton ( Rugby ATL / USA), Eric Howard (New Orleans Gold / USA), Jake Ilnicki (Seattle Seawolves / USA), Cole Keith (Toronto Arrows), Conor Keys (no club), Evan Olmstead (no club), Benoît Piffero (Blagnac / FRA / D3), Andrew Quattrin (Toronto Arrows), Lucas Rumball (Toronto Arrows), Seattle Seawolves (Seattle Seawolves / DJ), Mike Sheppard (Toronto Arrows), Matt Tierney (Castres Olympique / FRA)
Back (14): Nick Blevins (Calgary Hornets), Andrew Coe (Markham Irish), Jeff Hassler (Seattle Seawolves / USA), Ciaran Hearn (no club), Ben LeSage (Calgary Canucks), Phil Mack (Seattle Seawolves / USA) , Jamie Mackenzie (Toronto Arrows), Gordon McRorie (Calgary Hornets), Peter Nelson (non-club), Shane O'Leary (Nottingham / ENG / D2), Pat Parfrey (Toronto Arrows), Taylor Paris (Castres Olympique / FRA), Conor Trainor (USO Nevers / FRA / D2), DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors / SCO)
Coach: Kingsley Jones (WAL)
© 2019 AFP