Canada U20 set to face Portugal U20

Last year Portugal narrowly defeated Canada at the World Trophy and subsequently finished third in the tournament, whereas Canada finished seventh.
 
The Canada squad of 23 includes eight of last year’s team that played at World Trophy: Guerschom Mukendi, Tyler Duguid, Reid Davis, Quentin James, Campbell Clarke, Kevin Vertkas, Lockie Kratz, and Gabe Casey. In addition it has 11 under-agers: Michael McCarthy at hooker, Tyler Duguid at second row, Will Matthews at flanker, Alistair Bulman at number 8, Brock Webster at outside half, Lockie Kratz at outside centre, David Richard and Jarvis Dashkewytch on the wings, Josh Tweed, Connor McKinney and Campbell Clarke on the bench.
 
The back 3 comprise Gabe Casey, David Richards, and Jarvis Dashkewytch, the centres Lockie Kratz and Kevin Vertkas, half-backs Brock Webster and Brock Gallagher, front row Guerschom Mukendi, Michael McCarthy and Stefan Zuliani, second row Reid Davis and Tyler Duguid, back row Quentin James, Will Matthews and Ali Bulman, replacement forwards Josh Teeed, Thomas Hagen, Henry Stevenson, Mason Flesch and Connor McKinney, replacement backs Sam Kahn, Campbell Clarke and Glen Butler.
 
‘’Our primary objective is to lay a foundation for the qualifiers, which includes finishing games well and learning how to win tough games. So we welcome the opportunity to play a test against Portugal,” said Williams.
 
“We are happy about the athletic ability of this squad and the general level of fitness, but somewhat concerned about the lack of game time, particularly for those not in BC,” added Williams. “This tour is all about improving and being further ahead in our preparations for the qualifiers than we have been in the past.”
 
The game on Sunday will not be live streamed, but follow @RugbyCanada on Twitter for in-game updates. Full match video and a post-match report will be made available via www.rugby.ca afterwards. Kick off is 2pm local time (9am ET/6am PT)
 
Canada’s U20 Team to face Portugal
 
1. Guerschom Mukendi – Stoney Creek Camels, Stoney Creek, ON
2 Michael McCarthy – Swilers RFC, St John’s, NL
3 Stefan Zuliani – Queens University, Thornhill, ON
4 Reid Davis – James Bay AA, White Rock, BC
5 Tyler Duguid – Edmonton Nor’Westers, Edmonton, AB
6 Quentin James – Perpignan, Vancouver, BC
7 Will Matthews – Beaconsfield RFC, Beaconsfield, QC
8 Alistair Bulman – Guildfordiands RFC, Dorking,England
9 Brock Gallagher – Westshore RFC, Edmonton, AB
10 Brock Webster – Oshawa Vikings, Oshawa, ON
11 Jarvis Dashkewytch – UVIC Vikes, Twawwassen,BC
12 Kevin Vertkas – Westshore RFC, Toronto, ON
13 Lachlan Kratz – UVIC Vikes, Victoria, BC
14 David Richard – Mississauga Blues, Milton, ON
15 Gabriel Casey – UVIC Vikes, Ottawa, ON
16 Joshua Tweed – UBC, Surrey, BC
17 Thomas Hagen – Swilers RFC, St John’s, NL
18 Henry Stephenson – Toronto Nomads, Toronto, ON
19 Mason Flesch – Coburg Saxons, Coburg, ON
20 Connor McKinney – Swilers RFC, Toronto, ON
21 Sam Kahn – University of Western Ontario, Victoria, BC
22 Campbell Clarke – Swilers RFC,St John’s, NL
23 Glen Butler – RMC Kingston, Grimsby, ON