Three changes to Canada’s starting XV have been announced by Head Coach Kieran Crowley for Saturday’s test match against Romania in Bucharest to close out 2014 and the year-end tour.
Captain Tyler Ardron, who has been unavailable throughout Canada’s November tour so far due to injury, will lead the side from the number eight position, while Jon Phelan slots in at second-row beside veteran Jamie Cudmore and Pat Parfrey comes off the bench to start at flyhalf.
The rest of the side remains unchanged from last weekend’s narrow 23-13 loss to Samoa, where a late dropped pass gifted Samoa an easy try to snatch away a potential historic victory for Crowley’s outfit.
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The four-game tour also includes a 28-23 loss to the Championship XV team on November 2 and a 17-13 victory over Namibia on 7 November.
Saturday’s test match at Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf holds significance on two fronts: it will act as a chance for redemption for Canada, who were defeated 21-20 by a penalty at the final whistle last year against “The Oaks” and is a preview of what’s to come at next year’s Rugby World Cup when these two teams face in Leicester on 6 October.
Ardron and Harry Jones each scored tries during last year’s defeat, with all 21 of Romania’s points came off the boot of inside-centre Florin Vlaicu, who starts at flyhalf on Saturday. Romania are searching for their first win of their fall series, having dropped contest against USA and Japan by scores of 27-17 and 18-13 earlier this month.
2014 hasn’t been the most successful calendar year to date, having dropped all three games during the June International Series against Japan, Scotland and USA and currently sitting 1-2 this November. However, a win on Saturday for Crowley’s side will be a much-needed boost ahead of an incredibly busy and exciting year ahead that leads into the eighth edition of the RWC in England and Wales.
Canada’s RWC campaign also includes games against Ireland on 19 September, Italy on the 26 September and France on 1 October.
Kick off is scheduled for 18:30 Rom & SA Time and you can watch LIVE at http://rugbytv.ro and follow @RugbyCanada on Twitter for full updates!
Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Conor Trainor, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Patrick Parfrey, 9 Gordon McRorie, 8 Tyler Ardron (Captain), 7 Nanyak Dala, 6 Jebb Sinclair, 5 Jon Phelan, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Aaron Carpenter, 1 Hubert Buydens
Replacements: 16 Ray Barkwill, 17 Andrew Tiedemann, 18 Doug Wooldridge, 19 Kyle Gilmour, 20 Richard Thorpe, 21 Sean White, 22 Jordan Wilson-Ross, 23 Nick Blevins.
Unavailable due to injury: Matt Evans (Cornish Pirates – Maple Bay, BC), Harry Jones (Capilano RFC / BC Bears – Vancouver, BC), Phil Mack (James Bay AA / BC Bears – Victoria, BC), Phil Mackenzie (Sale Sharks – Oakville, ON), Taylor Paris (Agen – Barrie, ON), Mike Scholz (Castaway Wanderers / Ontario Blues – Oakville, ON), Liam Underwood (Ontario Blues – Toronto, ON).
Romania: 15 Catalin Fercu, 14 Dorin Manole, 13 Csaba Gal, 12 Robert Dascalu, 11 Ionut Botezatu, 10 Florin Vlaicu, 9 Valentin Calafeteanu, 8 Stelian Burcea, 7 Valentin Ursache, 6 Mihai Macovei (Captain), 5 Valentin Popirlan, 4 Alin Coste, 3 Horatiu Pungea, 2 Otar Turashvili, 1 Mihaita Lazar
Replacements: 16 Andrei Radoi, 17 Andrei Ursache, 18 Paulica Ion, 19 Marius Antonescu, 20 Vlad Nistor, 21 Florin Surugiu, 22 Florin Ionita, 23 Robert Neagu.
Date: Saturday 22 November
Venue: Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Kick-Off: 18:30 SA Time (18:30 Rom Time, 16:30 GMT, 11:30 Canadian Eastern Time, 08:30 Canadian Pacific Time)
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), Lloyd Linton (Scotland)
TMO: Geoff Warren (England)