Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team long list announced ahead of February camp in Vancouver

Christiaan Esterhuizen, Head Coach of Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team, has announced a long list of players for Rugby Canada’s 2025 U20 squad.  

This group will convene in Vancouver, BC for a training and alignment camp from February 20 to 23. Held alongside HSBC SVNS Vancouver, the team will train at Vancouver’s St. George’s School and play an intersquad match on February 23.   

This camp comes as Canada’s U20 men's program prepares for a 2025 tour to Fiji, with further information to be announced when possible. 

Players were identified and selected for the long list via their participation in university and club competition and tournaments like the U19 Canadian Rugby Championship, past performance with Canada’s age grade programs, and recommendations from provincial coaches. Players on the long list have been engaged in regular preparation and alignment calls, with staff closely monitoring players’ strength and conditioning progress as they train in their respective environments.  

“We are excited to gather our players and staff in Vancouver and get the year started with our U20 programming,” said Esterhuizen. “Our staff have been impressed with the dedication and eagerness of our players already. I have seen them in action over the last few months in a variety of competitions, stretching from the Canadian Rugby Championships in Nova Scotia all the way to Vancouver Island. While some of our players based abroad will not be able to attend this short camp, we are also delighted to have players competing in strong competitions in countries like Ireland, Scotland, England, and Australia and furthering their rugby development before joining us later in the year.” 

Head Coach Christiaan Esterhuizen will be joined in Vancouver by Canada's Men’s Rugby Team Defence Coach John McFarland, Cory Hector (University of Guelph), Paddy Watson (Balmy Beach RFC), Conor Turner (Strength and Conditioning Coach), and Erin Schatkowsky (Athletic Therapist).  

Additional coaching support for Sunday’s intersquad scrimmage will include Didier Banse (University of British Columbia), Bruce Rainer (University of British Columbia), Andy Evans (Trinity Western University), Aaron Takel (Collingwood School), Bill Chamberlain (St. George’s School) and Graeme Moffatt (University of Lethbridge). 

CANADA’S U20 MEN’S RUGBY TEAM  
2025 LONG LIST 

FORWARDS 
Adam Doane (Sutton, ON) - University of Victoria / Aurora Barbarians  
Alexander Muir (Victoria, BC) - University College Dublin / UBCOB Ravens 
Alistair Yeomans (Mississauga, ON) - University of Guelph / Mississauga Blues 
Andrew Neveu (Uxbridge, ON) - Durham College / Oshawa Vikings RFC  
Angus Dewar (Vancouver, BC) - Queen’s University / UBCOB Ravens 
Austin Allen (Thornbury, ON) - Trent University / Georgian Bay Titans  
Ben Davis (Peterborough, ON) - University of Ottawa / Peterborough Pagans 
Ben Koolen (Banbury, ENG) - Bloxham School / Gloucester Rugby 
Braam Swanepoel (Pretoria, RSA) - York University  
Brighton Feldman (Langford, BC) - University of Victoria / Westshore RFC 
Chukwudumebi Odum (Mississauga, ON) - Valence Romans Drome Rugby 
Coen Quinn (Ottawa, ON) - Queen’s University / Bytown Blues RFC  
Cole Harris (Uxbridge, ON) - Pacific Pride / Brock RFC  
Daniel Lucic (Oakville, ON) - University of Guelph / Oakville Crusaders  
Daragh Doyle (Quebec City, QC) - Clontarf FC 
Elijah McQueen (Fergus, ON) - University of British Columbia / Fergus Highland Rugby 
Finn Hughes (Peterborough, ON) - Wilfrid Laurier University / Peterborough Pagans  
Jacob Blackwood (Tsawwassen, BC) - University of British Columbia / Bayside Sharks  
James Noftall (Conception Bay South, NL) - University of British Columbia / Swilers RFC 
Kaea Griffiths (Penzance, ENG) - Camborne RFC 
Kyle Finan (Barnsley, ENG) - Leeds Beckett University / Red Deer Titans  
Liam Kinghorn (Calgary, AB) - University of British Columbia / Calgary Irish 
Matthew Carroll (Oakville, ON) - Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders  
Noah Kynaston (Esquimalt, BC) - Pacific Pride / Castaway Wanderers  
Quinn Foley (Oakville, ON) - University of Guelph / Oakville Crusaders  
Reid Yurkowski (Leduc, AB) - Capilano RFC  
Simroy John (Clapham Heights Christ Church, BRB) - Shawnigan Lake School 
Tate Hartley (Vancouver, BC) - University of British Columbia  

BACKS 
Ashton Chapman (Swansea, WAL) - Gorseinon 
Benjamin Crowley (County Limerick, IRE) - Blackrock College  
Briar Barron (Holland Landing, ON) - Queen’s University / Aurora Barbarians  
Charlie Huntingford (North Vancouver, BC) - Capilano RFC 
Daniel Muzaliwa (Cape Town, RSA) - University of Waterloo / Waterloo County  
Devonne Henry (Whitby, ON) - Wilfrid Laurier University / Oshawa Vikings  
Emmett Rahiri (Peterborough, ON) - University of Ottawa / Peterborough Pagans 
Evan Davies (Toronto, ON) - Balmy Beach RFC  
Evan Palmer (Vancouver, BC) - Queen’s University  
Jacques Henning (Okotoks, AB) - University of Alberta / Foothills Lions RFC 
Jimmy Leach (London, UK) - Brunel University  
Joe Kaufmann (Kingston, ON) - Kingston Panthers / La Salle School 
Jonty Nicholas (Wiltshire, UK) - University of British Columbia  
Joshua McIndoe (Victoria, BC) - University of Victoria / Greerton Marist Rugby Club 
Kohl Kletke (Oakville, ON) - Western University / Oakville Crusaders  
Liam James (Vancouver, BC) - University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens 
Liam Turnbull (Vancouver, BC) - UBCOB Ravens 
Matthew Bennett (Durban, RSA) - University of Victoria / Westshore RFC 
Max McGavern (Newcastle, AUS) - University of British Columbia / St Joseph’s  
Mitchell Buie (Victoria, BC) - Pacific Pride / Westshore RFC 
Morgan Di Nardo (Toronto, ON) - University of Victoria 
Reece Thompson (Minesing, ON) - University of Victoria / Barrie Rugby 
Rowan Closs (Uxbridge, ON) - Brock Rugby Club   
Spencer Cotie (Victoria, BC) - University of Victoria / Castaway Wanderers  
Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) - University of British Columbia / Balmy Beach Rugby Club 
Ty Driscoll (Victoria, BC) - Pacific Pride