Crowley names Canadian team to face Portuguese

Canadian Rugby senior men’s team head coach Kieran Crowley has selected his side to face Portugal on Saturday - the first of a four match tour through Europe.

With fully ten players on the tour without international experience, Crowley and his selectors were able to draw a blended side that is full of
experience, though with a heavy reliance of youth coming off the replacements bench.

The most capped veteran of the side will be scrum-half Morgan Williams, who ends his now one year old retirement from international rugby with a start
against Portugal. The team will be captained by veteran hooker Pat Riordan - and features a forwards unit with one debutant in the starting rotation in
the form of Newfoundland’s Andrew Fagan at flanker.

Full time professional Kevin Tkachuk of the Glasgow Warriors gets the start at loosehead, with Riordan at hook, and Mike Pletch in the tight-head prop
position.

In the second row, Perth, Ontario’s Stu Ault gets his fourth cap, and partners with Hoston who will be getting his second cap for Canada.

The back row features pace from Fagan, who while technically a rookie - has played plenty of rugby leading up to this debut as a 24 year old, and Adam
Kleeberger who wins his 12th cap. At No. 8 is Brantford, Ontario native Aaron Carpenter - a veteran winning his 17th test start.

Morgan Williams will partner with Ander Monro - the Colorno, Italy clubman - who has been instrumental for his side at the fly-half spot. He will be
working directly with Ryan Smith, who will be at the inside centre spot for his 37th cap. Smith will pair with first year man Bryn Keys - who won his
first cap against the USA at the Churchill Cup.

On the wing Dean Van Camp marks his return to test rugby after injury kept him on the sidelines for most of the summer - as he will get his sixth cap.
Working across the pitch from him is sevens speedster Phil Mackenzie - who will be making his debut in the fifteens game at the test level.

Fullback sees the steady defensive ability and sniping speed of Bedford rugby’s James Pritchard, who will have his 21st cap in Canadian colours this
weekend.

From the replacements bench - fresh faces abound as Newfoundland prop frank Walsh and Saskatoon native Travis Roberston will be front row cover - and
will be getting their first caps should they get on the field. Luke Cudmore will be in as second row cover, with Jebb Sinclair (uncapped) can play both
second and back row.

In the back line reserves are two more uncapped players in the form of Sean Duke as a wing replacement option, and scrum-half - 20 year old Sean White.

Nathan Hirayama - also only 20, will cover off at fly-half.

In announcing the team, Crowley spoke of the process and the progress he has seen in this Canadian team over the course of his first year - and even in
the few days of this assembly in Portugal.

“I have seen them really mature over the summer - and for some of the new faces in the team, even over our few days here, as they learn new things and
get to know new teammates,” said Crowley. Earlier in the week he showed confidence in re-calling Morgan Williams from the retirement ranks - saying
, “(Williams) is still very fit and plays every weekend with his club James Bay and when you look at how he played at the World Cup last year it is a
very easy decision to come to.”

While the obvious goal for Saturday’s match is a victory - the team and Crowley reached a consensus on some bench mark goals to try and achieve - a
process that both shows the faith he has in his young team - but also the faith they have in him as a coach. While what exactly they are aiming for
remains an internal target - suffice it to say that players will be playing with some precise goals in mind as individuals and as a team - allowing that
process to roll up into a potentially satisfying result.

Canada plays Portugal 5 PM (GMT) (Noon Eastern, 9 AM Pacific) and currently it appears the game will not be available online for fans live - but on a
delayed basis until Monday night. If suitable internet coverage can be achieved at the stadium there may be an audio feed of the game - but at this
time this seems unlikely.

You can still get all the results including half-time updates from the Rugby Canada website - www.rugbycanada.ca

Canada continues its tour with stops in Ireland (Nov 8th), Cardiff, Wales (Nov 14th), and Aberdeen, Scotland (Nov 22nd).

*
Starting XV vs Portugal (club/hometown)*

15. James Pritchard (Bedford Blues (UK)/Sydney, Australia) 14. Phil
Mackenzie* (University of Victoria Vikes/Oakville, ON) 13. Bryn Keys (Velox
Valhallians/Abbotsford, BC) 12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON) 11.
Dean Van Camp (Velox Valhallians/Port Perry, ON), 10. Ander Monro (Colorno
RFC (It), Edinburgh Scotland), 9. Morgan Williams (James Bay Athletic
Association/Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia) 8. Aaron Carpenter (Brantford
Harlequins/Brantford, ON) 7.Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria
Vikings/Victoria, BC) 6. Andrew Fagan (Swilers RFC/St.John’s, Newfoundland)
5.Stu Ault (Castaway Wanderers (Victoria)/Port Perry, ON) 4. Tyler Hotson
(Norther Suburbs (Australia)/Vancouver, BC) 3. Mike Pletch (Lucan, ON) 2.
Pat Riordan (University of Victoria Vikings/Burnaby, BC) 1. Kevin Tkachuk
(Glasgow Warriors/Regina, Saskatchewan)

Replacements from:
16. Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC/St. John’s, Newfoundland) 17.Travis Robertson
(Velox Valhallians/Saskatoon SK) 18.Luke Cudmore (Capilano RFC/Squamish, BC)
19.Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers (Victoria)/Fredericton, New Brunswick)
20. Sean Duke (University of Victoria/Vancouver, BC) 21.Sean White (James
Bay Athletic Association) 22. Nathan Hirayama (University of Victoria
Vikings/Richmond, BC)

Coach: Kieran Crowley
Asst Coach: John Tait
Forwards Coach: Kevin Wirachowski
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Tyler Hotson
Managers: Rodger Swany, Des Lynch
Press Officer: Doug Crosse
Massage Therapist: Sandra Bosich
Physiotherapist: Carrie Smith
Team Doctor: Dr. John Ho

Tags: Portugal Rugby, Rugby Canada