Canada begins quest for World Rugby U20 Trophy berth in South Carolina
Rugby 15s U20 Men
The North American qualifier for the World Rugby U20 Trophy, which is set to return this July for the first time since 2019, opened on Tuesday in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with the USA winning 43-21 over Canada’s U20 Men’s Team.
The North American qualifier for the World Rugby U20 Trophy, which is set to return this July for the first time since 2019, opened on Tuesday in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with the USA winning 43-21 over Canada’s U20 Men’s Team.
Michael Di Lella Jr opened scoring for Canada in the third minute of play, sneaking the ball over the line after breaking the American defence on a well organized maul. Converted by Owain Cormack, Canada went up 7-0.
The Americans responded immediately, their first points coming from a penalty kick, followed by four tries, all converted, to lead 31-7 at half-time.
While the USA opened the second half with another try, Canada looked strong through the final 40 minutes. Captain Cole Kelly got Canada back on the board in the 49th minute, driving the ball over the line. Another good conversion from Cormack brought the score to 36-14, and helped give Canada some momentum.
The USA scored once more in the 63rd minute, but with the winner of the series to be determine by aggregate points, Canada continued to push for another try. Olly Wiseman scored with eight minutes remaining, with Cormack kicking his third clean conversion of the day to close out the game, which was won by the USA by a final score of 43-21.
“We are very disappointed with how the game went. We let ourselves down," said Adam Roberts, Head Coach of Canada's U20 Men's Team. "It will be a character game on Saturday. We are drawing on our resiliency and teamwork as we prepare for Saturday’s game.”
The second match in the two game series will take place on Saturday June 10 at 3:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 p.m. ET and will be livestreamed on FloRugby. The winner of the series (determined by aggregate points), will earn the North American berth for the World Rugby U20 Trophy.
JUNE 6 MATCH DAY ROSTER
*(view the full series roster here)
1. Evan Roy (Ottawa, ON) – University of Ottawa / Ottawa Beavers
2. Michael Di Lella Jr. (Orono, ON) – Guelph University / Oshawa Vikings
3. Cole Kelly (Mississauga, ON) – Trinity College Dublin / Wicklow RFC
4. Muiredach Casey (Ottawa, ON) – University of Victoria / Barrhaven Scottish
5. Sol Jacques (Penticton, BC) – University of British Columbia / Penticton Harlequins
6. Grant Meadows (Richmond Hill, ON) – Brock University / Aurora Barbarians
7. Taine Clague (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria / James Bay AA
8. Olly Wiseman (Chiswick, UK) – Cardiff Met RFC / London Wasps
9. Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Crescent School
10. Brenden Black (Oakville, ON) – Guelph University / Oakville Crusaders
11. Josh Eustache (Brantford, ON) – Brantford Harlequins / University of Waterloo
12. Noah Flesch (Coburg, ON) – Pacific Pride / Coburg Saxons
13. Marcus D’Acre (Oakville, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders
14. James Thiel (Abbotsford, BC) – Pacific Pride / Abbotsford RFC
15. Owain Cormack (North Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / Capilano RFC
FINISHERS
16. Jeffrey Young (Toronto, ON) – Cardiff Met RFC / Toronto Nomads
17. Aaron Clark (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Canucks RFC
18. Caden Wilson (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
20. Liam Poulton (Chilliwack, BC) – University of Victoria / Castaway Wanderers
21. Lachlan McGrigor (Toronto, ON) – Bath University
22. James Clarke (St. John’s, NL) – Pacific Pride / Swilers RFC
23. Alastair Marshall (Hudson Bay, SK) – University of British Columbia / Regina Rogues
26. Charles Trollip (Guelph, ON) – Guelph RFC