13 BC-Born Players Called Up For Canada Rugby‘s Men’s UK Tour

Canada to play Wales and England in July UK Tour in preparation for Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifiers this Fall

Rugby Canada Senior Men’s Head Coach Kingsley Jones has named 13 BC-born players to the 32-man squad that will travel to the UK in July for two Test matches against Wales and England.

Canada will play Wales on July 3rd at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff before facing England the following week on July 10th at London’s Twickenham Stadium. Jones will use these games against two of the world’s top sides as preparation for the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification matches this Fall.

This will be the first action for the senior men’s team since the Rugby World Cup in 2019.

BC Rugby would like to congratulate Lucas Albornoz (Burnaby – formerly Burnaby Lake), Foster DeWitt (Courtenay – formerly Westshore RFC), Jake Ilnicki (Williams Lake – formerly Castaway Wanderers), Josh Larson (Parksville), Liam Murray (Langley – formerly James Bay Athletic Association), Reegan O’Gorman (Vancouver – formerly UBC RFC Men’s), Michael Smith (White Rock – formerly UBC RFC Men’s), Doug Fraser (Ladysmith – formerly Castaway Wanderers/Vancouver Rowing Club), Fraser Hurst (Vancouver – formerly UBC RFC Men’s), Lachlan Kratz (Victoria – formerly Castaway Wanderers), Quinn Ngawati (Victoria – formerly Westshore RFC), Will Percillier (Victoria – formerly Cowichan Valley RC) and Isaac Olsen (Victoria – formerly Castaway Wanderers) on their selection to the national team.

Seven BC-born players are in line to win their first caps: DeWitt, Murray, O’Gorman, Smith, Hurst, Kratz and Ngawati. Jones has selected 11 uncapped players overall.

Albornoz, Ilnicki, Larson, Murray, O’Gorman, Smith, Fraser, Hurst, Kratz and Ngawati all compete for Major League Rugby sides. Percillier plays for French side Stade Francais in the Top 14.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for these young players to test themselves and perform against two very high-quality opponents. The July matches are critical for our team as we prepare for our long-term goal of Rugby World Cup qualification this Fall competing against USA and South American opponents” – Rugby Canada Men’s Senior Team Head Coach Kingsley Jones

There are 18 players in the national 7s program that have not been considered for selection as they focus on final Olympic preparation and selection.

The squad will assemble in a designated RFU venue in England where they will be based for the duration of the tour. Canadian broadcast details will be confirmed soon.

Canada Men’s Rugby Team 32-Player Travelling Roster

Forwards

Lucas Albornoz – Burnaby, BC – Houston SaberCats

Foster DeWitt – Courtenay, BC – RC National Development Academy

Matt Heaton – Godmanchester, QC – Rugby ATL

Eric Howard – Ottawa, ON – NOLA Gold

Jake Ilnicki – Williams Lake, BC – Seattle Seawolves

Cole Keith – Sussex, NB – Toronto Arrows

Conor Keys – Stittsville, ON – Rugby ATL

Josh Larson – Parksville, BC – New England Free Jacks

Liam Murray – Langley, BC – Houston SaberCats

Reegan O’Gorman – Vancouver, BC – Austin Gilgronis

Andrew Quattrin – Holland Landing, ON – Toronto Arrows

Tyler Rowland – Mississauga, ON – Toronto Arrows

Lucas Rumball – Scarborough, ON – Toronto Arrows

Djustice Sears-Duru – Oakville, ON – Seattle Seawolves

Michael Smith – White Rock, BC – San Diego Legion

Backs

Ross Braude – Pretoria, SA – Toronto Arrows

Cole Davis – Calgary, AB – Austin Gilgronis

Doug Fraser – Ladysmith, BC – Old Glory DC

Fraser Hurst – Vancouver, BC – Utah Warriors

Spencer Jones – Cambridge, NZ – Toronto Arrows

Will Kelly – Ancaster, ON – Toronto Arrows

Lachlan Kratz – Victoria, BC – NOLA Gold

Benjamin LeSage – Calgary, AB – Toronto Arrows

Kainoa Lloyd – Mississauga, ON – RC National Development Academy

Peter Nelson – Dungannon, UK – Mont de Mason

Quinn Ngawati – Victoria, BC – Rugby United New York

Patrick Parfrey – St. John’s, NL – Toronto Arrows

Will Percillier – Victoria, BC – Stade Francais

Robbie Povey – Calgary, AB – Houston SaberCats

Isaac Olsen – Victoria, BC – RC National Development Academy

Unavailable for Selection

Tyler Ardron, Castres Olympique
Kyle Bailey, NOLA Gold
Matt Beukeboom, Bourg-en-Bresse
Luke Campbell, Old Glory DC
Nick Carson, University of Victoria
Tyler Duguid, Montpellier
Evan Olmstead, Biarritz Olympique
Lindsey Stevens, LA Giltinis
Matt Tierney, Castres Olympique

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