Canada U-20 squad for World Trophy qualifiers announced

Bryan Kelly 18/04/2019

Rugby 15s U20 Men

LANGFORD, BC – Canada U-20 Head Coach Jeff Williams has announced a squad of 32 players to attend camp at Shawnigan Lake School from May 18 – June 3, in preparation for Junior World Trophy Qualifiers against USA U-20.

The team has trained together on multiple occasions this year, including playing four games in Portugal and Spain. Mylan Clairmont has supervised individualized strength and conditioning programs for each player so the team should be better prepared than in previous years.

“Our objective is of course to qualify for the Junior World Rugby Trophy this year, but we take our role of developing players for National 15s and 7s very seriously,” commented Gethin Watts, Rugby Canada’s Performance Director for Age Grade Programs

“In choosing the squad we have had on-going and extensive discussions with the regional coaches following identification of players at the Canadian Rugby Championship U-19 competition in Saskatoon last year. In addition, we have made contacts with Canadian exiles in Britain who have been very supportive. As a result, Alistair Bulman played with us in Portugal, (but is unavailable for the qualifiers because of A level exams) and James Biss will join us in camp from Saracens Academy and Eltham College, Kent,” he added.

Of interest this squad has players from all across Canada, including BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland. Two players are in academies in France: Will Percillier, who was capped for the senior national team this year, and Quentin James. Guerschom Mukendi and Glenn Butler are unavailable because of work commitments.

The 2019 World Rugby Junior World Trophy will be played at the Estádio Martins Pereira in São José dos Campos, the heartland of Brazilian rugby. The tournament will take place from July 9-21 in 2019.

Canada will look to book their ticket to Brazil when they host USA U-20 in a two-game aggregate series at Shawnigan Lake School on June 4 & 8 on Vancouver Island. Both matches will be streamed live on Rugby Canada’s Facebook page and are free to attend.

Canada U-20 Long List:

Jared Augustin – Queen’s University, ON

James Biss – Saracens, England

David Carson – UBC Thunderbirds, BC

Frank Carson – UBC Thunderbirds, BC

Nick Carson – University of Victoria, BC

Gabriel Casey – University of Victoria, ON

Campbell Clarke – Swilers RFC, NL

Jarvis Dashkewytch – UVIC Vikes, BC

Reid Davis – James Bay AA, BC

Tyler Duguid – Edmonton Nor’Westers, AB

Mason Flesch – Coburg Saxons, ON