Article content

Jamie Cudmore is back.

The lock forward made his playing return for his French club Oyonnax on Friday, now he’s been called in by Rugby Canada men’s head coach Mark Anscombe ahead of his side’s final November tour match vs. Samoa (Friday, noon PT, streaming details TBC).

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Jamie Cudmore returning to Canadian lineup vs. Samoa Back to video

Cudmore broke his hand in early September. He joined Oyonnax in the off-season after an illustrious career with Clermont. His contract with the ProD2 club calls for him to eventually transition into a coaching role. Rugby Canada has also discussed a coaching future with the Squamish-born man-mountain.

Calling Cudmore in suggests Anscombe intends to get the former captain in the lineup. Both Brett Beukeboom and Evan Olmstead have carried heavy loads the last two games from the Canadian engine room, with only Connor Keys as back up.

Assuming both Olmstead and Beukeboom are still fit, getting Cudmore into the starting lineup would allow for Olmstead to move to the back row. Lucas Rumball and Matt Heaton have taken turns at openside flanker, while Kyle Baillie has started both games this month at blindside. Admir Cejvanovic made his first start at number eight vs. Romania after replacing Aaron Carpenter in the second half vs. Ireland. Carpenter broke his arm.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

twitter.com/risingaction

facebook.com/tryandtackle