MEN'S U20 ROSTER SET FOR SATURDAY MATCH WITH JAPAN

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – Canada’s U20 men’s head coach Jeff Williams will make just two changes to his starting lineup that will face Japan Saturday (1pm ET/10am PT) at the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Uruguay.

Coming off a loss to Namibia in the opening match of their U20 Trophy campaign, Canada faces a must-win situation if they are to keep their title hopes alive.

Kick off against Japan is set for 1pm ET/10am PT on Saturday at the Estadio Charrua in Montevideo. You can watch live via www.WorldRugby.org.

Williams’ two changes both come in the front row, with Connor Sampson entering at loosehead prop, where he replaces Liam Murray, and Steven Ng getting the call at hooker, slotting in for Dewald Kotze. Sampson was a 44th-minute substitute against Namibia, while Ng will enter the fray after he was left off the 22-man roster for the opener. Cole Keith will round out the front row, returning at tighthead prop.

Once again, Liam Doll and Matt Beukeboom will start in the second row. The back row will be formed by Lachlan Curre, who was one of Canada’s try-scorers against Namibia, along with James O’Neill and Jake Thiel.

The backs remain unchanged from the first contest of the tournament, with Fraser Hurst back at scrumhalf and Will Kelly, who knocked through two penalties against Namibia, returning at flyhalf.

Cole Davis and Anton Ngongo are back on the wings, while Josh Thiel, who scored Canada’s other try in Tuesday’s match, and captain George Barton return at the centre positions.

Aidan McMullan is back at fullback.  

Canada is facing a Japanese side that edged Chile 28-22 in their opening match. Japan is looking to return to the top-tier World Rugby U20 Championship after being relegated to the Trophy following a last-place finish in 2016. Japan dropped down after losing to Italy 41-17 in the all-important 11th-place match.

Following Canada’s game against Japan, they will play Chile Sept. 6 in their final match of pool play.

The final will be played Sept. 10, along with the third, fifth and seventh place matches. Pool B features hosts Uruguay as well as Fiji, Portugal and Hong Kong.

Canada have reached the World Rugby U20 Trophy final twice in the last four years. In the 2015 final, they were beaten 49-24 by Georgia and, in 2013, they lost 45-23 against Italy. The team has yet to qualify for the Championship since it was reduced to a 12-team format in 2009.

Canada qualified for the U20 Trophy after beating the USA in a two-game qualifying series in Edmonton. Canada cruised to a 46-12 victory in Game 1 and, despite a 27-25 defeat in Game 2, Canada qualified by virtue of a 71-39 aggregate win.

Canada failed to qualify for the World Rugby U20 Trophy in 2016.

What Coach Jeff Williams said:

"We selected what we think is a bigger squad versus Japan. We've done a lot of video review and we feel we're much better prepared for the opposition. It's going to be a huge task, but we have put in a lot of good work on the ground. Practices were very physical and we did a lot of work in the video room. The boys are excited to get going. They feel that the last game did not represent who they are and they're fully on board to try to change that. The reality is we need to be much more physical and play direct and keep things simple and error free."

Canada’s Roster to Face Japan:
1. Connor Sampson (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC
2. Steven Ng (Capilano RFC) Ottawa, ON
3. Cole Keith (James Bay AA) Sussex, NB
4. Liam Doll (UBC Thunderbirds) North Vancouver, BC
5. Matt Beukeboom (Section Paloise) Lindsay, ON
6. Lachlan Currie (Bond University) Gold Coast, Australia
7. James O’Neill (UVic Vikes) Cochrane, AB
8. Jake Thiel (Abbotsford RFC) Abbotsford, BC
9. Fraser Hurst (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC
10. Will Kelly (Brantford Harlequins) Ancaster, ON
11. Cole Davis (Canberra Royals) Calgary, AB
12. Josh Thiel (Bishop Burton College) Abbotsford, BC
13. George Barton (Clermont) Duncan, BC (captain)
14. Anton Ngongo (Castaway Wanderers) Victoria, BC
15. Aidan McMullan (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC), Montreal, QC

16. Jack McRogers (Aurora Barbarians) Newmarket, ON
17. Liam Murray (Langley) Langley, BC
18. Nick Frost (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC
19. Niko Clironomos (UBC Thunderbirds) Burnaby, BC
20. Thomas Davidson (Toronto Scottish RFC), Chelsea, QC
21. William McDougall-Percillier (Cowichan Piggies) Mill Bay, Victoria
22. Brennig Prevost (UVic Vikes) Victoria, BC

2017 World Rugby U20 Trophy Staff:
Head Coach – Jeff Williams
Assistant Coach – Sean McDonaugh
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Jeff Watson
Athletic Therapist – Kiyomi Thompson
Analyst – Derek Pue
Team Physician – Shelby Karpman
Team Manager – Alana Gattinger

Canada’s 2017 World Rugby U20 Trophy 2017 Schedule:
Canada 16 Namibia 31 – Estadio Charrua (Montevideo)
Canada vs. Japan – Sept 2 – 1pm ET/10am PT – Estadio Charrua (Montevideo)
Canada vs. Chile – Sept 6 – 10:30am ET/7:30 am PT – Estadio Domingo Burgueño Miguel (Punta del Este)

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