Rugby Canada: Crowley names team to face Scotland
Written by sport on November 19th, 2008 in sport.
Rugby Canada: Crowley names team to face Scotland
Canada names team for Scotland challenge
Head Coach Kieran Crowley has named the team to face Scotland in the fourth and final match of the Autumn test series. The side includes a re-jigged front row, and a new cap on the wing as Canada gets set to play the Scots in Aberdeen with a forecast of 3 C and possible snow squalls.
In the front row, Cornish Pirate’s Scott Franklin comes in at tight-head prop - allowing Mike Pletch to slide to the hooker spot, replacing Pat Riordan who was injured in the game against Wales.
The second row remains unchanged from last Friday night’s pairing, with Vancouver’s Tyler Hotson and Lantzville, BC’s Josh Jackson providing height in the line and some heft in the engine room.
In the back row New Brunswick native Jebb Sinclair wins his second straight start and his fourth cap, showing his stock as a flanker has risen through the length of this tour. He will work with Adam Kleeberger, the University of Victoria stalwart that was named the man of the match against the Welsh by Planet-rugby.com. Brantford’s Aaron Carpenter holds down the No. 8 spot for a third straight week.
Ed Fairhurst will captain the side from scrum-half, and he will partner with Cowichan, BC native Matt Evans who wins his first full start - coming in at fly-half just barely twenty years of age.
In the centres Ontario’s Ryan Smith will take the inside slot, with Newfoundland’s Ciaran Hearn winning his second straight start, but this time at oustide centre instead of on the wing.
On the wing it will be a debut for Sean Duke, the former Queen’s University flyer who is now a carded athlete and playing at the University of Victoria. On the opposite wing Plymouth Albion’s Justin Mensah-Coker lends his height and pace into what will be a pacy back three. At fullback James Pritchard wins his fourth cap of this tour, with his speed into the line and sublime place-kicking continuing to be a huge part of this Canadian team.
On the replacements bench Newfoundland’s Frank Walsh will be front row cover, with Mike Burak acting as back up for the second row. Sean Michael Stephen will cover the back row, while Morgan Williams is the scrum-half change as needed.
Nathan Hirayama is the switch at fly-half, with Bryn Keys filling a centre spot. Crowley is still waiting to name his final replacement.
Canada has beaten Scotland twice, both times in Canada and this is the first visit to Scotland since January 1995 when the Scots beat Canada 22-6.
It’s possible the weather could slightly favour Canada - if the Canucks can deal with the bitter cold and wind expected at Pittodrie in Aberdeen. An arctic blast will be blowing through the ocean-side pitch on Scotland’s East coast and forecasters are predicting snow and a consistently high wind for game time. Apparently - players may need to keep an eye out for one other thing on the pitch - fish. In high wind with big waves crashing nearby - it is not unknown for fish to be blown onto the pitch.
The field the players will play on is about as small as Internation Rugby Board regulations allow - just 64 metres wide and 93 metres long, nearly six metres narrower and seven metres shorter than most pitches.
- A final player will be named to the replacements bench later today - based on a fitness test.
15. James Pritchard (Bedford, UK)
14. Sean Duke (University of Victoria)
13. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers)
12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish)
11. Justin Mensah-Coker (Plymouth Albion)
10. Matt Evans (Hartpury College)
9. Ed Fairhurst (c) (Cornish Pirates)
8. Aaron Carpenter (Brantford Harlequins)
7. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria)
6. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers)
5. Josh Jackson (Union Bordeaux Begles)
4. Tyler Hotson (Norther Suburbs - Aus)
3. Scott Franklin (Cornish Pirates)
2. Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians)
1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors)
Replacements:
16. Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC)
17. Mike Burak (Cornish Pirates)
18. Sean Michael Stephen (Plymouth Albion)
19. Morgan Williams (James Bay AA)
20. Nathan Hirayama (University of Victoria)
21. Bryn Keys (Velox Valhallians)
22 An Other
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