VILLAJOYOSA, Spain — Canada coach Kingsley Jones has made five personnel and two positional changes to his starting 15 for Saturday's third-place against Brazil at La Vila International Rugby Cup.
Cole Keith switches to loosehead prop with Djustice Sears-Duru sidelined by injury. Conor Young slots in at tighthead prop position and Kyle Baillie moves into the second row from blindside flanker with Mason Flesch replacing him at No. 6.
Mitch Richardson, Kainoa Lloyd and Andrew Coe move into the backs.
Canada's matchday 23 features six members of the Major League Rugby champion New England Free Jacks and five Toronto Arrows.
The 18th-ranked U.S. takes on No. 19 Spain for first place Saturday at El Pantano Stadium.
Canada, ranked 23rd in the world, lost 42-20 to Spain last Saturday while the Americans hammered No. 26 Brazil 48-3. Canada trailed 35-6 at the break, having conceded five tries in the first half.
"We were very disappointed with the performance against Spain, in particular how we started the match." Jones said in a statement. "The group has worked hard over the last few days, with a particular focus on mental prep before everything we do. We need to see a good start against Brazil.
“We are pleased with the focus, the grit and the dedication we’ve seen from all 32 players, and we have learned a lot about the group in the past two weeks. We know we need to see that reflected in our performance against a physical opponent and we are expecting Brazil to be equally as hungry for the win on Saturday.”
Canada beat Brazil 31-14 the last time they met, in a non-capped development match in October 2022.
Canada Roster
Cole Keith, Apohaqui, N.B., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Andrew Quattrin, Holland Landing, Ont., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Conor Young, Yamba, Australia, New England Free Jacks (MLR); Izzak Kelly, White Rock, B.C., Spotswood United RFC (New Zealand); Kyle Baillie, Summerside, P.E.I., Old Glory DC (MLR); Mason Flesch, Cobourg, Ont., Toronto Arrows (MLR); Lucas Rumball (capt.), Toronto, Toronto Arrows (MLR); Matthew Oworu, Calgary, Pacific Pride; Jason Higgins, Cork, Ireland, San Diego Legion (MLR); Robbie Povey, Northampton, England, Houston SaberCats (MLR); Andrew Coe, Markham, Ont., Rugby New York (MLR); Ben LeSage, Calgary, New England Free Jacks (MLR); Mitch Richardson, Stoney Creek, Ont., Toronto Arrows (MLR); Kainoa Lloyd, Mississauga, Ont., James Bay AA; Peter Nelson, Dungannon, Northern Ireland, Toronto Arrows (MLR).
Replacements
Foster Dewitt, Courtenay, B.C., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Liam Murray, Langley, B.C., Dallas Jackals (MLR); Tyler Rowland, Mississauga, Ont., Toronto Arrows (MLR); Conor Keys, Stittsville, Ont., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Siaki Vikilani, Vancouver, American Raptors (Super Rugby Americas); Reid Watkins, Okotoks, Alta., Seattle Seawolves (MLR); Gabe Casey, Ottawa, New England Free Jacks (MLR); Cooper Coats, Halifax, Halifax Tars.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 17, 2023
The Canadian Press
