ONTARIO ATHLETES WELL REPRESENTED ON CANADA U19 TOURING SIDE
With files from Matt Tidcombe, Rugby Canada Communications
Head coach Dean Murten has named a 28-man squad for Canada’s men’s U19 tour to Wales in April.
Twenty-four players return from the U19 side that recently played two games against the USA in Chula Vista over the holiday season.
“Of course we all want to win games, however this tour is about getting the process right and providing the athletes with a world class experience against some of the best up and coming athletes in the world,” Murten said. “Everyone will be working extremely hard to get the results we all want.”
Named the International Series, Canada will play three games over eight days in Cardiff.
Canada will open the tournament on April 8 against England before facing Wales on April 12. They’ll conclude their tournament on April 16 against Italy. Ireland Scotland are the other two teams competing in the competition.
“We have watched the Welsh and England teams play in their recent 6 Nations competition,” Murten said. “We know they will be highly skilled players with a good understanding of the game. They will all be very well prepared on and off the field and in great physical condition. At this point we have not seen Italy play, however talk is that they have outstanding age grade programs. Knowing this, our boys are up for the challenge ahead and we look forward to some hard-hitting physical rugby.”
The squad features 15 players from British Columbia while six players are from Ontario. Alberta and Quebec has two representatives while PEI and Saskatchewan each have one. Peter Ingoldsby is from Devon, England.
Brock Gallagher, Elias Ergas, James O’Neill and Ingoldsby are called into the squad after not featuring during the USA series.
Canada beat the USA 29-22 in Game 1 of their series before losing 27-19 in Game 2.
“The purpose of the USA tour was to put the athletes into an international environment where they could grow and develop as one,” Murten said. “Having 24 athletes come from the USA squad has allowed us to work together as players and staff to make sure we get all the off-field preparation right so that when we arrive in Wales things will run extremely smooth.
“The staff and players also got a chance to have a good look at our strengths and weaknesses for the Wales tour. The next few months are now about working to make the team better prepared.”
Kickoff and streaming details have yet to be announced but will be confirmed in the coming weeks leading into the tournament.
Canada’s Men’s U19 Roster for USA Tour (Name, club, hometown):
Damon Adams, (Bytown Blues/Castaway Wanderers) Victoria BC
Marco Cazza, (Ormstown Saracens) Saint-anicet QC
Elias Ergas, (UBC) North Vancouver, BC
Mostyn Findlay, (UVic) Regina, SK
Aidan Foley, (Western University) Oakville, ON
Brock Gallagher, (Stratchona Druids) Edmonton, AB
Jeremy Gamm, (Markham Irish) Markham, ON
James Hammond, (Toronto Nomads/United RFC) Vancouver, BC
Peter Ingoldsby, (Teignmouth RFC) Devon, England
Kyle Joe, (Cowichan) Ladysmith, BC
John Jubenvill, (UBC) Surrey, BC
Gavin Kratz, (UVic) Victoria, BC
Jake Lan, (UBC) Vancouver, BC
Logan Martin-Feek, (West Shore) Victoria, BC
Jackson Matthews, (Beaconsfield RFC) Beaconsfield, QC
Jack McRogers, (Aurora Barbarians) Newmarket, ON
Jordon Montgomery, (PEI Mudmen) Kensington, PEI
Quinn Ngawati, (St Michaels University School) Victoria, BC
Evan Norris, (Shawnigan Lake School) Victoria, BC
James O’Neill, (UVic) Cochrane, AB
Brennig Prevost, (UVic) Victoria, BC
Emerson Prior, (Trent University Varsity Club) Gananoque, ON
Seth Purdy, (Shawnigan Lake School) Mill Bay, BC
Owain Ruttan, (UBC) Precious Corners, ON
Michael Smith, (UBC) Surrey, BC
Christoph Stangl, (UBC) Vancouver, BC
Brandon Schellenberger, (Castaway Wanderers) Victoria, BC
Matthew Ye, (UBC) Markham, ON
Canada’s Men’s U19 Schedule:
Canada vs. England — April 8
Canada vs. Wales — April 12
Canada vs. Italy — April 16
