CANADA SET TO CLOSE OUT 2017 AGAINST FIJI

NARBONNE, FRANCE – Canada head coach Kingsley Jones has made five changes to his starting roster to face Fiji on Saturday to close out 2017.

Canada is fresh off its first victory of the 2017 November international series, having come-from-behind to defeat Spain 37-27 in Madrid last weekend.

Ray Barkwill moves to the bench in favour of Benoit Piffero, while Newcastle Falcons prop Jake Ilnicki joins the starting front row on Saturday. Flankers Matt Heaton and Kyle Baillie have switched positions and will be joined by St. Albert’s Kyle Gilmour at number eight.

Saturday marks the 12^th test match between Fiji and Canada, with the pacific islanders winning on eight occasions.

Canada’s backline, which accounted for all 37 points in last weekend’s victory, remains unchanged and will be lead by captain Phil Mack at scrumhalf.

Kick off is 12pm ET/9am PT and you can watch live on www.worldrugby.org

Canada’s Men’s Team to face Fiji:

1. Hubert Buydens – (New Orleans Gold/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK

2. Benoit Piffero – (Blagnac Sporting Club/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QC

3. Jake Ilnicki – (Newcastle Falcons/BC Bears) Williams Lake, BC

4. Josh Larsen – (Northland) Parksville, BC

5. Evan Olmstead – (Newcastle Falcons/Prairie Wolf Pack) Vancouver, BC

6. Kyle Baillie – (London Scottish/Atlantic Rock) Summerside, PEI

7. Matt Heaton – (Darlington Mowden Park/Atlantic Rock) Godmanchester, QC

8. Kyle Gilmour – (St. Albert RFC/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB

9. Phil Mack – Captain (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC

10. Patrick Parfrey – (Swilers RFC/Atlantic Rock) St. John’s, NL

11. Taylor Paris – (Castres/Ontario Blues) Barrie, ON

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

13. DTH van der Merwe – (Newcastle Falcons) Victoria, BC

14. Brock Staller – (Meralomas RFC/BC Bears) Surrey, BC

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

16. Ray Barkwill – (Seattle Seawolves/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON

17. Djustice Sears-Duru – (Ealing Trailfinders/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON

18. Matt Tierney – (Section Paloise/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON

19. Brett Beukeboom – (Cornish Pirates/Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON

20. Lucas Rumball – (Balmy Beach RFC/Ontario Blues) Mississauga, ON

21. Andrew Ferguson – (Oakville Crusaders/Ontario Blues) Mississauga, ON

22. Ben LeSage – (UBC Thunderbirds/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB

23. Kainoa Lloyd – (Mississauga Blues/Ontario Blues) Mississauga, ON

Canada’s November international calendar:

Canada 9 – 51 Maori All Blacks
Canada 22 – 54 Georgia
Canada 37 - 27 Spain

Canada vs. Fiji
November 25^th, 2017
Narbonne, France
Kick off time: 12pm ET/9am PT
Broadcast details: live on www.worldrugby.org

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