October 22, 2024 (Langford, BC) – Thirty-two players have been called up to Canada’s men’s rugby team by head coach Kingsley Jones for the program’s upcoming tour to Bucharest, Romania.
Canada will face Chile on November 9 and Romania on November 16 for the Canadians’ final international test matches of 2024, as the team continues to prepare for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers taking place on next year.
This tour of Romania follows the new Pacific Nations Cup, which saw Canada take on Japan, the United States and Tonga. Canada faced Romania earlier this year, in one of two home test matches in Ottawa in July, and won 35-22. The last time Canada faced Chile, it t was in two 2021 Rugby World Cup qualifiers, with each team securing a victory in the series.
“We have an opportunity this fall to continue to test and build ourselves as a group, playing two quality opponents,” Kingsley Jones said. As with the teams that played in Ottawa and the Pacific Nations Cup, our goal is to build our depth and demonstrate consistency in 2025. In addition to the experienced leaders on our team, there are a number of young players promising players who will benefit from more valuable exposure to an international training and competition environment. »
Along with captain Lucas Rumball, 25 players from the team that played in the Pacific Nations Cup return, including Kaden Duguid and Tyler Matchem, who earned their first caps for Canada against Japan and Tonga respectively.
Four players will be looking to earn their first caps for Canada in Romania: Jesse Kilgour, Noah Flesch and Rhys James, current Pacific Pride Development Academy players, and Sam Miller, from Pacific Pride, who have all been part of the Canada’s training environment ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup tournament.
RFC LA’s Matt Heaton returns to Canada’s men’s rugby team for the first time since 2021, bringing his Rugby World Cup experience.
Mitch Richardson returns after missing the Pacific Nations Cup due to injury, and Josh Thiel returns to the team for the first time since Canada’s 2023 fall tour of Spain.
A number of players are unavailable for the tour due to university commitments, including Matthew Klimchuk (Meiji University in Japan) and Talon and Takoda McMullin (University of British Columbia). The Canadian Men’s University Rugby Championship will take place while the Canadian men’s rugby team is in Romania. Canada’s top men’s university rugby teams will compete in Ottawa from November 13-17.
CANADA MEN’S RUGBY TEAM SCHEDULE
Canada/Chile men’s rugby team
November 9, 2024
At 3 a.m. PST / 6 a.m. EST / 1 p.m. local time
In Bucharest, Romania
Tickets can be purchased here.
Broadcast details will be announced
Canada/Romania men’s rugby team
November 16, 2024
At 8 a.m. PST / 11 a.m. EST / 6 p.m. local time
In Bucharest, Romania
Tickets can be purchased here.
Broadcast details will be announced
CANADA MEN’S RUGBY TEAM PLAYER LIST FOR ROMANIA TOUR
BEFORE
Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, Ontario) – Barbarians d’Aurora / New England Free Jacks
Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Earl Marriott Secondary / Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Old Glory DC
Callum Botchar (Vancouver, British Columbia) – NOLA Gold
Cole Keith (Apohaqui, Nouveau-Brunswick) – Belleisle Rovers RFC/ New England Free Jacks
Conor Young (Yamba, Australie) – Southern Districts Rugby Club / RFC LA
Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, Alberta) – Strathcona Druids RFC
Ethan Fryer (Seattle, United States of America) – New England Free Jacks
Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Cottesloe Rugby Club
James Stockwood (Bowmanville, Ontario) – Vikings RFC / Pacific Pride
Jesse Mackail (Palmerston North, Nouvelle-Zélande) – UBCOB Ravens / Pacific Pride
Kaden Duguid (Edmonton, Alberta) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association/ Highlanders de Vancouver
Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, Ontario) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds
Mason Flesch (Cobourg, Ontario) – Cobourg Saxons RFC / Chicago Hounds
Matt Heaton (Godmanchester, Quebec) – RFC LA
Matthew Oworu (Calgary, Alberta) – Pacific Pride
Sam Miller (Mount Denson, Nova Scotia) – Valley Rugby Union / Pacific Pride
Siôn Parry (Cardiff, Pays de Wales) – Rhiubina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC
Tyler Matchem (Pictou County, Nova Scotia) – Pacific Pride / Pictou County RFC
REAR
Andrew Coe (Markham, Ontario) – RFC LA
Ben Lesage (Calgary, Alberta) – Canucks de Calgary/ New England Free Jacks
Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, Alberta) – Strathcona Druids RFC
Cooper Coats (Halifax, Nova Scotia) – Halifax Tars
Jason Higgins (Cork, Irlande) – Chicago Hounds
Jesse Kilgour (Barrie, Ontario) – Barrie RFC / Pacific Pride
Josh Thiel (Victoria, BC) – James Bay AA / Abbotsford RFC
Josiah Morra (Toronto, Ontario) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens de Toronto
Mark Balaski (Castlebar, Irlande) – Castlebar RFC / Pacific Pride
Mitch Richardson (Stoney Creek, Ontario) – Université McMaster
Nic Benn (Caves Beach, Australia) – unaffiliated
Noah Flesch (Cobourg, Ontario) – Saxons de Cobourg / Pacific Pride
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, Northern Ireland) – Dungannon RFC
Rhys James (Kelowna, Colombie-Britannique) – UBC Okanagan Heat / Pacific Pride
