Canada’s men’s U18 head coach Mike Curran has named a 26-man squad for the Rugby Europe U18 Open Championships 2017 in Quimper, France in April.
Canada will play three matches beginning with a clash against Georgia on April 7. Their other two fixtures will be result dependent and will be played on April 11 and 15.
“This year's U18 side has a through representation of the country's best athletes,” Curran said. “The process was very competitive in selecting this team. The talent in this country is deep and exciting.”
The squad features 10 players from British Columbia while another nine come from Ontario. Alberta and Nova Scotia each have two representatives while Manitoba, Newfoundland and Quebec each have one.
“The Rugby Europe championship will be a great test for our guys and crucial to their continued development,” said Ken Goodland, Rugby Canada’s Coordinator of National Player Development & Talent ID. “The coaches had some very tough choices and they are excited to lead this squad to France.
“Our hope is to have this as an annual event so our future stars get an early taste of international rugby and the honour of wearing the Maple Leaf. It will pay huge dividends as they progress through the age grade programs. From a personal perspective, the group will get an amazing cultural experience and memories to last a lifetime.”
In addition to Georgia, the tournament will also feature hosts France as well as Japan, USA, Portugal, Belgium and Spain.
Kickoff times and streaming details for the tournament will be confirmed closer to the competition.
For more information on the tournament, please click here.
Canada’s Men’s U18 Team for Rugby Europe U18 Open Championships 2017 (Name, hometown, club):
Corben Bowen (Abbotsford Rugby Club) Fraser Valley, BC
Gabriel Casey (Bytown Blues) Ottawa, ON
Reid Davis (Bayside RFC) Surrey, BC
Joshua Engelbrecht (Oakville Crusaders) Oakville, ON
Julian Foggitt (Westshore/Velox) Victoria, BC
Zachary Folan (Canucks) Calgary, AB
Isaac Gonevou (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB
Hunter Grant (Westshore Valhallians/ Esquimalt Ravens) Victoria, BC
Quentin James (Unattached) North Vancouver, BC
Nathan Jutronich (Oakville Crusaders) Mississauga, ON
Noah King (UBCOB Ravens) Vancouver, BC
Nathan Lake (Windsor Macine) Windsor, NS
Dean Mason (Regina Highlanders RFC) Regina, SK
James Newman (Castaway Wanderers) Victoria, BC
Lodrik Parlavecchio (Abénakis Sherbrooke) Estrie QC
Will Percillier (Cowichan) Victoria, BC
Tyler Rowland (Toronto Nomads) Mississauga, ON
Seif Sanad (Halifax Tars) Bedford, NS
Jack Scher (Vancouver Rowing Club) Vancouver, BC
Jackson Scott (Norfolk Harvesters) Waterford, ON
Samuel Sirlin (Vancouver Rowing Club) Vancouver, BC
David Stoltz (Ottawa Indians) Stittsville, ON
Callum Tam (Oakville Crusaders) Oakville, ON
Kris Uschold (U of M Wombats) Winnipeg, MB
Kevin Vertkas (Toronto Nomads) Mississauga, ON
Piers von Dadelszen (Old Caterhamians RFC) London, ON
Coaching Staff:
Mike Curran — Head coach
Jack Hanratty — Assistant coach
Dan Meikle — Assistant coach
Jessica Salt — Therapist
Shane Muldrew — Manager
Rugby Europe U18 Open Championships 2017
Canada vs. Georgia — April 7, 2017
Canada vs. TBD — April 11, 2017
Canada vs. TBD — April 15, 2017
With files from Rugby Canada Communications
