Roster announced for first two ARC test matches

Jones’ roster includes veterans Ciaran Hearn, Hubert Buydens, Nick Blevins and Ray Barkwill, who have all won 50 or more caps and helped book their ticket to the 2019 Rugby World Cup at last November’s repechage in France.  
 
New faces to the long list include: former Canada U20 flyhalf Will Kelly, currently with the Dragons in Wales, Justin Blanchet, who originally hails from Quebec but currently resides in England while playing for Bedford Blues, Canada U20 standout Will Percillier, who is currently with Stade Francais in Paris and Seattle Seawolves’ forward Nakai Penny. Andrew Coe, who has split his time between Sevens and Fifteens over the last two years, returns to Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team for the first time since November of 2017.
 
“The squad we have selected has a good mix of experience and youth. With less than nine months until the Rugby World Cup, the ARC allows us the opportunity to give some players who played very well in 2018 but missed out on tough selection in November. Whilst it is important we have selected experienced players to help mentain continuity and confidence gained in the recent run of positive performances and victories,” said Jones.
 
Canada will depart for Montevideo on January 26 for the opening two test matches of the series against Uruguay on February 2ndand Brazil in Sao Paolo on February 9th.
 
New to this year’s ARC is the addition of a rest-week mid-tournament, meaning, with 15 of the 28 announced names plying their trade in the second season of Major League Rugby (MLR), players will have to return for club duty.
 
“With currently over 45 Canadians playing MLR this year, along with our overseas pros in mid-season, we are working directly with our athletes & clubs to manage their work loads and professional commitments throughout the ARC. Our relationship with the MLR Teams, in particular Toronto Arrows, Seattle Seawolves and Austin Elite, has been excellent so far,” added Jones.
 
The following week Canada will return home to Westhills Stadium to take on Chile on February 22nd  before facing a very strong Argentina XV, both games held under the lights at 7pm Pacific Time on Friday night.
 
Canada’s tournament finale is a highly-anticipated showdown on March 8thagainst their north American rivals, USA – who are two-time defending ARC champions – in Seattle, WA at Starfire Sports, home to the 2018 MLR Champion Seattle Seawolves. This contest takes place on the eve of the fourth annual HSBC Canada Sevens at BC Place in downtown Vancouver, giving fans the opportunity to watch a triple-header of international rugby within a few hours’ drive.
 
“We’re currently on a six-game [three test matches, 1 “A” game and two club fixtures] winning streak and it’s vitally important for us to continue building confidence as we work towards the World Cup,” Jones added.
 
Tickets for the two fixtures in Langford, BC can be purchased at https://rugby.ca/en/tickets. With Westhills Stadium currently under construction, the total capacity for these two test matches is 1,000, therefore seating is limited. Don’t wait to purchase!
 
Canada Roster:
 
Kyle Baillie – (NOLA Gold/Atlantic Rock) Summerside, PEI
Noah Barker – (Glendale Raptors/BC Bears) Courtenay, BC
Ray Barkwill – (Unattached/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
Justin Blanchet – (Bedford Blues) Montreal, QC
Nick Blevins – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
Hubert Buydens – (NOLA Gold/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
Luke Campbell – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
Andrew Coe – (Markham Irish/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
Dustin Dobravsky – (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) Hanover, Germany
Guiseppe du Toit – (Toronto Arrows/BC Bears) Maple Ridge, BC
Doug Fraser – (Austin Elite/BC Bears) Ladysmith, BC
Ciaran Hearn – (London Irish/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay South, NL
Eric Howard – (NOLA Gold/Ontario Blues) Ottawa, ON
Cole Keith – (Toronto Arrows/Atlantic Rock) Sussex, NB
Will Kelly – (Dragons/Ontario Blues) Ancaster, ON
Conor Keys – (Rotherham Titans/Atlantic Rock) Stittsville, ON
Ryan Kotlewski – (Westshore RFC/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
Josh Larsen – (Austin Elite) Parskville, BC
Ben LeSage – (UBC Thunderbirds/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Kainoa Lloyd – (Toronto Arrows/Ontario Blues) Mississauga, ON
Jamie Mackenzie – (Toronto Arrows/Atlantic Rock) Oakville, ON
Pat Parfrey – (Unattached/Atlantic Rock) St. John’s, NL
Nakai Penny – (Seattle Seawolves/BC Bears) Penticton, BC
Will Percillier – (Stade Francais) Mill Bay, BC
Lucas Rumball – (Toronto Arrows/Ontario Blues) Mississauga, ON
Theo Sauder – (Toronto Arrows/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
Djustice Sears-Duru – (Seattle Seawolves/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
Mike Sheppard – (Toronto Arrows/Ontario Blues) Brampton, ON
 
2019 Americas Rugby Championship Schedule
 
Americas Rugby Championship
Canada vs. Uruguay
February 2
Estadio Charrúa
Montevideo, Uruguay
Kick-off: 21:40 local time (7:40pm ET/4:40pm PT)
Broadcast: TBC
 
Americas Rugby Championship
Canada vs. Brazil
February 9
Venue TBC
Sao Paolo, Brazil
Kick-off: 20:15 local time (5:15pm ET/2:15pm PT)
Broadcast: TBC
 
Americas Rugby Championship
Canada vs. Chile
February 22
Westhills Stadium
Langford, BC
Kick-off: 10pm ET/7pm PT
Broadcast: TBC
 
Americas Rugby Championship
Canada vs. Argentina XV
March 1
Westhills Stadium
Langford, BC
Kick-off: 10pm ET/7pm PT
Broadcast: TBC
 
Americas Rugby Championship
Canada vs. USA
March 8
Starfire Sports
Seattle, USA
Kick-off: 10pm ET/7pm PT
Broadcast: TBC
 
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