u20 Qualifier Preview – Canada vs USA

The first of two legs to determine the North American representative at the World Rugby u20 Trophy takes place on Tuesday evening. It was Canada who defeated the USA in last year’s series hosted in Texas. This year both matches will be held at Vancouver Island’s renowned Shawnigan Lake School.

Seven players return from Canada’s 2018 u20 Trophy squad, including five in the starting lineup. Tyler Rowland anchors the scrum with Tyler Duguid, a part-time prop himself, named in the second row. Quentin James will leave Perpignan to join Will Percillier at the Stade Français academy next season. The 1.96m (6’5″) son of Canada great Mike James lines up on the blindside flank.

Percillier is the focal point of the squad at scrumhalf, having already impressed with the senior side in the Americas Rugby Championship. Canada ‘A’ cap Brock Webster completes an impressive halfback pairing that distributes to a star-studded backline. Former Wolfpack signing Quinn Ngawati is at inside center with Toronto Arrows standout Avery Oitomen named at fullback.

The Junior All-Americans lean heavily on collegiate standouts with three starters coming from the Cal Golden Bears program – hooker Jack Manzo, second row Sam Golla, and fullback Sam Walsh. The latter is one of five returning players, having started as a flyhalf in both qualifying matches last year.

St. Bonaventure prop Jack Wiles is promoted to the starting pack with Bailey Wilson named at No8 and captain. Cardiff Met scrumhalf Ethan McVeigh gets the start this season with Jack Wendling returning in the midfield. Flying winger Ryan James of the San Diego Legion is one of two players formally attached to Major League Rugby sides, the other reserve prop Will Vakalahi who recently started for Old Glory DC.

Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 8pm Eastern. A live stream will be available on the Rugby Canada Facebook page.

CANADA u20
1 Stefan Zuliani, 2 Jared Augustin, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Frank Carson, 5 Tyler Duguid, 6 Quentin James, 7 Will Matthews, 8 Nick Carson, 9 Will Percillier, 10 Brock Webster, 11 David Richard, 12 Quinn Ngawati, 13 Gabriel Casey, 14 Jarvis Dashkewytch, 15 Avery Oitomen

Replacements: 16 David Carson, 17 Josh Tweed, 18 Guerschom Mukendi, 19 Reid Davis, 20 Mason Flesch, 21 JT Boehme, 22 James Biss, 23 Thomas Isherwood, 24 Siaki Vikilani, 25 Antoine de la Fontaine, 26 Austin Pinnell

USA u20
1 Jack Wiles, 2 Jack Manzo, 3 Jared Miller, 4 Sam Golla, 5 Asa Carter, 6 Chase Jones, 7 Miles McCormick, 8 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 9 Ethan McVeigh, 10 Mike Weir, 11 Junior Waqavesi, 12 Lauina Falatea, 13 Jack Wendling, 14 Ryan James, 15 Sam Walsh

Replacements: 16 Braden Looper, 17 Doug Mitchell, 18 Alex Lopeti, 19 Matt Gelhaus, 20 Chris Noggle, 21 Jeff Peleseuma-Breiz, 22 Cole Semu, 23 Jasper Green, 24 Will Vakalahi, 25 Luke Freeman, 26 Royce Fisher

Date: Tuesday, June 4
Venue: Shawnigan Lake School
Kickoff: 5pm local / 8pm ET
Broadcasts: Facebook