Hearn earns 50th cap
The 30-year-old spent the past season with London Irish in England after a successful 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Hearn returned to Canada sevens side last weekend for their Rio 2016 qualifier before flying back to Canada to link up with the senior team for their final Series match.
Commenting on his 50th cap, Hearn said: "I don’t really pay attention to the numbers.
"I just go out whenever I can to play for my country and try to do the best I can. I’m not thinking about the 50th, I’m just thinking about going out there and getting a win in this next one," he added.
The addition of Hearn at outside centre in place of Mozac Samson is the only change by head coach Mark Anscombe from last Saturday’s 46-21 win over Russia in Calgary.
Veteran Jamie Cudmore will once again captain the team as Canada looks to overturn a narrow 23-18 loss to Italy at last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Djustice Sears-Duru, Ray Barkwill and Jake Ilnicki form the frontrow with Evan Olmstead starting alongside Cudmore at lock. Kyle Baillie and Lucas Rumball join Aaron Carpenter to complete the forward pack.
Gordon McRorie, who scored 26 points last weekend against Russia, starts at scrumhalf with Pat Parfrey at flyhalf. Ontario natives Taylor Paris and Dan Moor man the wings with Hearn pairing with Nick Blevins in centre and Matt Evans starting at fullback.
"We want to keep growing. This is our last game after four weeks together.
"The progress is important and we have to keep showing that. The boys have trained well and the spirits are high," Anscombe said.
17th ranked Canada opened its Summer Series with a 22-26 defeat to Japan at Vancouver’s BC Place before rebounding for a comprehensive win over the Russians last weekend.
Italy, ranked 13th in the world, lost 30-24 to Argentina in the first game of their tour before collecting a narrow 24-20 against the USA last weekend in San Jose.
In last year’s meeting, Canadian winger DTH van der Merwe’s scintillating try created endless excitement around the rugby world which was later followed up by Matt Evans’ fantastic solo effort creating two of the most memorable Canadian Rugby World Cup tries.
Canada and Italy have met eight previous times since their inaugural clash in 1983 with Canada winning twice. Italy has won the last five matchups including a 25-16 victory at BMO Field in June 2012.
Canada: 15 Matt Evans, 14 Dan Moor, 13 Ciaran Hearn, 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 Paul Ciulini, 20 Matt Heaton, 21 Jamie Mackenzie, 22 Liam Underwood, 23 Brock Staller.
Date: Sunday, June 26
Venue: BMO Field, Toronto
Kick-off: 12.00 (16.00 GMT, 17.00 Italy time)
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)
Assistant referees: Shuhei Kubo (Japan), Kurt Weaver (USA)
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