The Ontario Blues, of the Canadian Rugby Championship (C.R.C.), continue their preparations for their pre-season fixture against the powerful Argentine provincial side, Salta, by holding their annual Navy vs. Sky trial match at Brantford RFC. The match will take place this Saturday, April 30, with a 2:30pm kick-off time.

With a number of projected Blues still out of province, such as Lindsay's Seb Pearson, the trial will feature a number of younger players; including members of the Canada U20 squad, which will leave for Georgia in May.  Despite the absences, the teams will feature some impressive athletes with overseas experience of their own; including Northampton Saints Academy prospect Taylor Paris and former Doncaster Knights flanker Andrew Wilson.

The annual match, which was held at York University in 2009 and at the Mississauga Blues ground in Streetsville in 2010, is always a high intensity affair, as players try to gain a place in the squad for the season.  Referee Andrew Hosie will no doubt have a fast-paced contest to manage.

New Blues Head Coach Rob Doyle:  “We are getting to the sharp end of the stick now, and the players know there is a lot at stake. Both the pre-season and CRC games are high level rugby and we need to expose the players to as much of that environment as possible, before we play.”

There is no admission charge for Saturday, and Brantford RFC will be hosting Burlington in a pre-season game at 1 pm at the club.

Brantford RFC is located on Powerline Road in Brantford (www.brantfordharlequins.com)

Rosters For 2011 Navy vs. Sky Match:

NAVY

Head Coach: Chris Silverthorn

Forwards:  Delaney, Bak, Pletch, Fried, Macdonald, Dunham, M. Kelly, Stones, Clark
Backs:  Ferguson, Underwood, Mitchell, Raguseo, Schnieder, Marshall, Rory Tomlinson, Harris, Laplaca, C. Kelly, T. Paris, Arnell

 SKY

Coach: Paul Ambrose

Forwards:  Johnston, Post, E. Wilson, Mahar, Brouwer, Murray, Ardron, R. Paris, A. Wilson
Backs:  Armstrong, Piatek, Daypuck, J. West, Macsween, Walker, Moor, Campbell, Strapp, Fader, Mufandadza

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