MEN'S U20 ROSTER ANNOUNCED FOR CONTEST WITH CHILE

PUNTA DEL ESTE, URUGUAY – Canada’s men’s U20 side is set to compete its final match of pool play at the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2017 and head coach Jeff Williams will make two changes to his starting lineup that will face Chile Wednesday (10:30am ET/7:30am PT) in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Coming off losses to Namibia and Japan, Canada will take on Chile with their sights set on earning their first victory of the U20 Trophy. A win would put Canada into the fifth place match on Saturday, while a loss would see them into the seventh-place contest.

The only alteration up front to Williams’ roster has Jamie McNaughton earning his first start of the tournament at right flanker, replacing James O’Neill. Also entering the starting fray for the Canadians will be Niko Clironomos, who comes in for Josh Thiel at left centre.

This will be the first match of the tournament in which McNaughton has suited up, while Clironomos was on the bench for both of Canada’s first two matches.

In the pack, the trio of Connor Sampson, Steven Ng and Cole Keith will slot into the front row, while Liam Doll and Matt Beukeboom return as Canada’s starting second-rowers.

Joining McNaughton in the back row will be regular starters Lachlan Currie at flanker and Jake Thiel, who scored one of Canada’s two tries against Japan, at No. 8.

Amongst the backs, Fraser Hurst will once again start at scrumhalf, while Will Kelly gets the call at flyhalf.

Cole Davis and Anton Ngongo, who scored a nifty try in Canada’s last outing, snatching a restart and going the distance, will start on the wings, while captain George Barton comes alongside Clironomos at right centre.

For the third consecutive match, Aidan McMullan starts at fullback.

The championship match 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 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’s Roster to Face Chile:
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. Jamie McNaughton Carleton Place, ON
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. Niko Clironomos (UBC Thunderbirds) Burnaby, 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. Dewald Kotze (UBCOB Ravens) Edmonton, AB
17. Liam Murray (Langley) Langley, BC
18. Nick Frost (UBC Thunderbirds) Vancouver, BC
19. Josh Thiel (Bishop Burton College) Abbotsford, BC
20. Jack McRogers (Aurora Barbarians) Newmarket, ON
21. William McDougall-Percillier (Cowichan Piggies) Mill Bay, Victoria
22. Brennig Prevost (UVic Vikes) Victoria, BC

World Rugby U20 Trophy 2017 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 12 Japan 50 – 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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