Historic Test in the snow
Coach Mark Anscombe has named his starting XV for Saturday's Test match against Japan at BC Place, Vancouver.
The team features eight returnees from Canada's 2015 World Cup squad. The other seven starters competed for Canada at the 2016 Americas Championship earlier this year.
"You can expect to see guys who are committed and proud to put on the jersey," Anscombe said. "They'll empty their tanks on Saturday and give it everything they've got."
Djustice Sears, Ray Barkwill and Jake Ilnicki will lineup in the front row while Cudmore pairs with Evan Olmstead at lock. Kyle Baillie will start at blindside flank with Lucas Rumball getting the nod at openside. Aaron Carpenter, 71 test cap veteran, starts at No.8.
Gordon McRorie will start at scrumhalf with St. John's Pat Parfrey starting at flyhalf after a great ARC campaign.
A returning Taylor Paris will join Canada's ARC try-scoring leader Dan Moor on the wing with Nick Blevins and Brock Staller forming the centre partnership. Matt Evans starts at fullback.
"I'm very proud to be here and to represent Canada," Cudmore said. "It's great to play in a venue like this at BC Place and we're looking forward to Saturday."
There's also the potential for Matt Tierney and Matt Heaton to win their first Test caps for Canada as they have been named to the bench.
"It's a great opportunity for a lot of them and it's their first chance to establish their claim to the future and they're all excited about that and are ready to seize the chance," Anscombe said.
The game against 10th ranked Japan will add another chapter to Canadian rugby history by being the first ever Test match held at BC Place.
Earlier this year, the world-class stadium held the inaugural HSBC Canada Men's Sevens, where more than 60,000 fans packed in over two days to set a new Canadian rugby attendance record.
Canada is 8-14-2 all-time against Japan with the two draws taking place at the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cups. The two sides met last year as part of the Pacific Nations Cup with Japan winning 20-6.
Canada has not beaten Japan since 2005 when they won 15-10 in Tokyo as part of the Super Cup.
The home side comes into the game after a successful 3-2 ARC campaign that included Test wins over Uruguay, Brazil and Chile.
Furthermore, it showcased a new wave of Canadian talent that saw nearly 20 players earn their first Test caps for Canada with 10 of them being named to Anscombe's 28-man RISEAsOne Summer Series squad.
Japan, who will host the 2019 Rugby World Cup, enters the tournament having claimed the 2016 Asia Rugby Championship after winning all four contests.
However, they sent shockwaves through the sports world last year when they defeated powerhouse South Africa 34-32 in the 2015 Rugby World Cup pool stages. Despite collecting three wins, Japan missed out on qualifying for the tournament quarterfinals.
Canada: 15 Matt Evans, 14 Dan Moor, 13 Brock Staller, 12 Nick Blevins, 11 Taylor Paris, 10 Pat Parfrey, 9 Gordon McRorie, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Lucas Rumball, 6 Kyle Baillie, 5 Evan Olmstead, 4 Jamie Cudmore (captain), 3 Jake Ilnicki, 2 Ray Barkwill, 1 Djustice Sears.
Replacements: 16 Eric Howard, 17 Tom Dolezel, 18 Matt Tierney, 19 Paul Ciulini, 20 Matt Heaton, 21 Alistair Clark, 22 Jamie Mackenzie, 23 Mozac Samson.
Date: Saturday, June 11
Venue: BC Place Stadium, Vancouver
Kick-off: 18.00 (01.00, Sunday June 12 GMT; 10.00, Sunday June 12 Japan time)
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistant referees: Kurt Weaver (USA), Derek Summers (USA)
