Anscombe goes for home town favourites
Anscombe named Gordon McRorie, Nick Blevins and Mozac Samson as part of the starting roster for Saturday's 11-year return of men's international rugby to Calgary when Canada faces Russia as part of June Summer Series.
One change was made to the side that lost to Japan on June 11 – Calgary native Mozac Samson will start at outside centre in place of Brock Staller.
"We have a big task ahead of us against Russia," Anscombe said. "They're big boys, have a good pack so we have our work cut out but we look forward to the challenge."
Ray Barkwill and Jake Ilnicki join Djustice Sears-Duru, who was named Man of the Match against Japan, in the front row while Evan Olmstead lines up next to Cudmore at lock.
Kyle Baillie and Lucas Rumball start at openside and blindside flank respectively while Aaron Carpenter, whose 72 test caps are second all-time in Canadian test rugby history, starts at No. 8.
Calgary native Gordon McRorie starts at scrumhalf with Pat Parfrey again getting the nod at flyhalf. Taylor Paris, who had a try last weekend on his return to Canada's lineup, starts on one wing with Toronto native Dan Moor lining up on the other side. It'll be a Calgary duo in the centres as Nick Blevins pairs with Samson while Matt Evans starts at fullback.
"I'm looking forward to playing in front a home crowd, a boisterous crowd," Cudmore said. "The people of Calgary are fired up to watch some good quality rugby and that's what we hope to do on Saturday."
There are a three changes to Canada's bench however as Jordan Wilson-Ross, Cam Pierce and Liam Underwood, who has been given the green light by Canada's sevens coach Liam Middleton to join the senior team, are named as replacements.
Underwood last featured for Canada's senior side at the 2015 Rugby World Cup but an injury against Ireland in Canada's opening match forced him to miss the remainder of the tournament as well as the 2015-16 Sevens Series season.
Canada has a perfect 3-0 record against Russia with their last meeting coming in 2012 when Canada cruised to a 35-3 victory in Wales as part of their November tour, a match where Okotoks, AB., native Jeff Hassler had a pair of tries.
Canada also collected a 22-3 win in 2009 in Burnaby before winning 34-18 in the 2011 Churchill Cup in England.
Nineteenth ranked Russia has only competed in one Rugby World Cup (2011) and earlier this year finished third in the European Nations Cup after compiling a 3-2 record.
"We've got to be precise in defence," Cudmore said. "I've played Russia a few times and they're strong athletes but may lack a little bit in the rugby knowledge.
"But with rugby now being an Olympic sport they've put a lot of money into it and they have some good coaches over there and we've got to be very careful."
Canada: 15 Matt Evans, 14 Dan Moor, 13 Mozac Samson, 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 -Duru.
Replacements: 16 Eric Howard, 17 Tom Dolezel, 18 Matt Tierney, 19 Cam Pierce, 20 Alistair Clark, 21 Jamie Mackenzie, 22 Liam Underwood, 23 Jordan Wilson-Ross.
Date: Saturday, June 18
Venue: Calgary Rugby Park
Kick-off: 17.00 (23.00 GMT; Sunday June 19 Moscow Time)
Referee:Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
Assistant referees: Federico Anselmi (Argentina), Kurt Weaver (USA)
