Canada U20 Men's Starting XV announced for qualifier vs. USA

June 13, 2017

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With files from Rugby Canada Communications

EDMONTON — Canada’s men’s U20 head coach Jeff Williams has named his side for the first leg of their Junior World Rugby Trophy qualifier against the USA Tuesday.

George Barton will captain the team as Canada looks to secure qualification into August’s tournament in Uruguay.

“We’ve come together really well,” Josh Thiel said. “We’re hoping to just execute and put it all together on the field tomorrow.

“We want to come out firing and make a statement. If we can get off to a good start tomorrow it will set a tone for the second game.”

Liam Murray, Dewald Kotze and Cole Keith will form Canada’s front row with Liam Doll, who is named vice-captain, alongside Matt Beukeboom at lock.

Lachlan Currie is partnered by James O’Neill at flanker with Abbotsford’s Jake Thiel at No. 8.

Fraser Hurst starts at scrum-half with Will Kelly at fly-half. Elias Ergas and Anton Ngongo start on the wings with Josh Thiel and Barton forming the centre combination. Montreal’s Aidan McMullan starts at fullback.

“We’re ready to go,” Doll said. “We’re fired up. We had a perfect prep today and we’re ready to go out there and smash them.”

Last year’s qualifier was a one game playoff that the USA won 19-18 on an 80th minute penalty in Texas. In 2015, Canada reached the tournament final but were beaten 49-24 by Georgia. The winner of the Junior World Rugby Trophy qualifies for the 2018 World Rugby U20 Championship.

Kickoff is 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT and can seen LIVE by clicking here. 

Admission to the first game on June 13 is free, however, a ticket must be purchased for Canada’s senior men’s test match against Romania on June 17 to gain entry for the second game of the U20 qualifier. Tickets are available by clicking here.

Canada’s Men’s U20 Roster vs. USA (Name, club, hometown):

1. Liam Murray (Langley) Langley, BC

2. Dewald Kotze (UBCOB Ravens) Edmonton, AB

3. Cole Keith (James Bay AA) Sussex, NB

4. Liam Doll (UBC Thunderbirds) North Vancouver, BC

5. Matt Beukeboom (Section Paloise) Lindsay, ON

6. Lachlan Currie (Bond University) Gold Coast, Australia

7. James O’Neill (UVic Vikes) Cochrane, AB

8. Jake Thiel (Abbotsford RFC) Abbotsford, BC

9. Fraser Hurst (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC

10. Will Kelly (Brantford Harlequins) Ancaster, ON

11. Elias Ergas (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC

12. Josh Thiel (Bishop Burton College) Abbotsford, BC

13. George Barton, captain (Clermont) Duncan, BC

14. Anton Ngongo (Castaway Wanderers) Victoria, BC

15. Aidan McMullan (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC), Montreal, QC

16. Steven Ng (Capilano RFC) Ottawa, ON

17. Connor Sampson (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC

18. Nicholas Frost (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC

19. Jamie McNaughton Carleton Place, ON

20. Jack McRogers (Aurora Barbarians) Newmarket, ON

21. William McDougall-Percillier (Cowichan Piggies) Mill Bay, Victoria

22. Brennig Prevost (UVic Vikes) Victoria, BC

23. Cole Davis (Canberra Royals) Calgary, AB

U20 Canada Coaching Staff:

Jeff Williams – Head Coach

Dave Butcher – Assistant Coach

Sean McDonaugh – Assistant Coach

Kiyomi Thompson – Athletic Therapist

Jeff Watson – S&C Coach

Derek Pue – Analyst

Alana Gattinger – Team Manager

Canada’s Men’s U20 Schedule:

Canada vs. USA — June 13 — Ellerslie Rugby Park, 9pm ET, 6pm PT

Canada vs. USA — June 17 — Ellerslie Rugby Park, 2pm ET/11am PT

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