Rugby Canada announce 23-man roster for second leg of Rugby World Cup 2023 Qualification series

September 9, 2021 (Glendale, CO) – Head coach Kingsley Jones has named the match day roster for Canada’s Senior Men’s 15s team that will face the USA this Saturday, Sept. 11 in the second of two crucial Rugby World Cup 2023 Qualification Pathway matches.

Kick off for the second leg of the two-match series is set for 9pm ET/6pm PT. The match will be broadcast live on www.premiersports.tv in Canada.

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Jones has made only one adjustment to Saturday’s lineup from last weekend’s roster, with PEI’s Kyle Baillie coming in for teammate Mason Flesch. Canada were impressive in the opening leg match-up, capturing a 34-21 win over the United States in front of an electric home crowd in St. John’s, NL.

The winner of the two-match North American series is determined by an aggregate score across both games. The winner will move on to face Uruguay on October 2 and 9, with the victor of this series qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2023 as Americas #1. The loser of the two-match North American series will move on to face Chile on October 2 and 9.

The second leg in the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifying series between Canada and the United States is available to view exclusively in Canada through Premier Sports. This weekend’s upcoming match, as well as last weekend’s thrilling win, are available to view for only $USD 9.95.

“We’ve got a 13 point lead [in the series] at the moment and we’ve got 80 minutes to play,” said Jones following Canada’s win over the United States last weekend. “We know it’s going to be a different challenge this week, a big challenge. We are fortunate to be able to choose the same starting fifteen that have again earned this selection, while we’re happy to have Kyle fit to add to our reserve strength.”

Canada head coach Kingsley Jones will be available for comment, September 9, beginning at 12:00 p.m. PT. Jones will also be available for post-match comments, approximately one hour following full time between Canada and the United States. Please direct interview requests to Tania Richards, Acting Director, Marketing & Communications at trichards@rugby.ca.

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S MATCH DAY ROSTER

Forwards:

1. Djustice Sears-Duru - Oakville, ON - Unattached
2. Andrew Quattrin - Holland Landing, ON - Toronto Arrows
3. Matt Tierney - Oakville, ON - Castres Olympique
4. Corey Thomas - Perth, Western AUS - LA Giltinis
5. Conor Keys - Stittsvile, ON - Rugby ATL
6. Lucas Rumball - Markham, ON - Toronto Arrows (C)
7. Matt Heaton - Godmanchester, QC - Rugby ATL
8. Siaki Vikilani - Burnaby, BC - Toronto Arrows

Backs:

9. Ross Braude - Pretoria, SA - Toronto Arrows
10. Peter Nelson - Dungannon, UK - Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne
11. Kainoa Lloyd - Mississauga, ONT - James Bay AA
12. Spencer Jones - Cambridge, NZ - Toronto Arrows
13. Ben LeSage - Calgary, AB - Toronto Arrows
14. Brock Webster - Uxbridge, ON - Canada Rugby 7's
15. Cooper Coats - Halifax, NS - Canada Rugby 7's

Reserves:

16. Eric Howard - Ottawa, ON - Nola Gold
17. Cole Keith - Apohaqui, NB - Toronto Arrows
18. Tyler Rowland - Mississauga, ON - Toronto Arrows
19. Kyle Baillie - Summerside, PEI - Nola Gold
20. Michael Smith - White Rock, BC - San Diego Legion
21. Rob Povey – Long Buckly, UK - Houston Sabercats
22. Jason Higgins - Cork, Ire - Toronto Arrows
23. Patrick Parfrey – St. John’s, NL – Toronto Arrows/Swilers RFC

ABOUT RUGBY CANADA
Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby XV’s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.

Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, with staff also working from Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Canada Sevens annual tournaments.

For more information or if interested in supporting our teams through sponsorship, please contact: media@rugby.ca.

ABOUT RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023
The Rugby World Cup has been held every four years since 1987. A benchmark competition for international rugby, it represents the holy grail for any player. Hosted in France in 2023, there will be 600 players from the 5 major continents, divided into 20 teams, all dreaming of the William Webb Ellis Trophy which is awarded to the winning country.

The 2023 tournament will mark the 10th Rugby World Cup with matches starting on September 8, 2023 and concluding 45 days later with the final on October 28.

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