Canada comes into the Americas Rugby Championship with a little boost of confidence after going 3-0 in the Rugby World Cup Repechage in November.

After a rough couple of years, Canada secured qualification to the Rugby World Cup 2019 and breathed a huge sigh of relief. Now, the ARC looms and the Maple Leafs will be looking to log some victories and start the road toward a solid RWC performance.

Watch the Americas Rugby Championship on FloRugby

In the squad for the first two ARC matches, Canada has gone with some youth. Former Canada U20 flyhalf Will Kelly, now playing with the Dragons in the Guinness PRO14; Bedford Blue Justin Blanchet; Canada U20 standout Will Percillier, now with Stade Francais in the French Top 14; and forward Nakai Penny, who plays with Major League Rugby champions Seattle Seawolves.

Andrew Coe, who has been playing some sevens, is back with the 15s team for the first time since November 2017.

“The squad we have selected has a good mix of experience and youth," Canada head coach Kingsley Jones told Rugby Canada. "With less than nine months until the Rugby World Cup, the ARC allows us the opportunity to give some players who played very well in 2018 but missed out on tough selection in November. Whilst it is important we have selected experienced players to help maintain continuity and confidence gained in the recent run of positive performances and victories."



Canada will play Uruguay on Feb. 2, and Brazil on Feb. 9. Then, after an off week for the entire competition (during which MLR players will be back with their clubs), it's back to the ARC.

Trying to get players available remains an issue for Jones.

“With currently over 45 Canadians playing MLR this year, along with our overseas pros in mid-season, we are working directly with our athletes and clubs to manage their workloads and professional commitments throughout the ARC," said Jones. "Our relationship with the MLR Teams, in particular, the Toronto Arrows, Seattle Seawolves and Austin Elite, has been excellent so far.”



On Feb. 22, Canada will host Chile at Westhills Stadium in Langford, British Columbia. Then it's Argentina XV on March 2, followed by a game against the USA in Tukwila, Washington.

This game is technically a home game for Rugby Canada, but with Canada hosting the Canada Sevens tournament in Vancouver, the 15s game has been moved to the Seattle area.

Watch USA vs. Canada LIVE on FloRugby, March 8

“We’re currently on a six-game [three test matches, one "A" game, and two club fixtures] winning streak and it’s vitally important for us to continue building confidence as we work towards the World Cup,” Jones added.



Canada Roster:



Kyle Baillie – (NOLA Gold/Atlantic Rock) Summerside, PEI

Noah Barker – (Glendale Raptors/BC Bears) Courtenay, BC

Ray Barkwill – (Unattached/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON

Justin Blanchet – (Bedford Blues) Montreal, QC

Nick Blevins – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB

Hubert Buydens – (NOLA Gold/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK

Luke Campbell – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC

Andrew Coe – (Markham Irish/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON

Dustin Dobravsky – (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) Hanover, Germany

Guiseppe du Toit – (Toronto Arrows/BC Bears) Maple Ridge, BC

Doug Fraser – (Austin Elite/BC Bears) Ladysmith, BC

Ciaran Hearn – (London Irish/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay South, NL

Eric Howard – (NOLA Gold/Ontario Blues) Ottawa, ON

Cole Keith – (Toronto Arrows/Atlantic Rock) Sussex, NB

Will Kelly – (Dragons/Ontario Blues) Ancaster, ON

Conor Keys – (Rotherham Titans/Atlantic Rock) Stittsville, ON

Ryan Kotlewski – (Westshore RFC/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB

Josh Larsen – (Austin Elite) Parskville, BC

Ben LeSage – (UBC Thunderbirds/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC

Kainoa Lloyd – (Toronto Arrows/Ontario Blues) Mississauga, ON

Jamie Mackenzie – (Toronto Arrows/Atlantic Rock) Oakville, ON

Pat Parfrey – (Unattached/Atlantic Rock) St. John’s, NL

Nakai Penny – (Seattle Seawolves/BC Bears) Penticton, BC

Will Percillier – (Stade Francais) Mill Bay, BC

Lucas Rumball – (Toronto Arrows/Ontario Blues) Mississauga, ON

Theo Sauder – (Toronto Arrows/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC

Djustice Sears-Duru – (Seattle Seawolves/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON

Mike Sheppard – (Toronto Arrows/Ontario Blues) Brampton, ON



