May 10, 2024 (Langford, BC) – Thirty-six Canadian U20 men’s players have convened at Shawnigan Lake School in British Columbia for a four-week intensive high performance camp that will lead into two matches against the United States for qualification for the World Rugby U20 Trophy.
Head Coach Christiaan Esterhuizen is joined on the coaching staff by Pacific Pride assistant coach and former Canadian international Hubert Buydens, former Toronto Arrows, American Raptors and University of Guelph coach Cory Hector, and Arrows Academy and University of Toronto Backs/Kicking Coach Paddy Watson. Players will also work directly with High Performance Director Stephen Aboud and Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team Head Coach Kingsley Jones, Defence Coach John McFarland, and Attack Coach Phil Mack.
“We have been very impressed with the work ethic of this squad in this first week of camp,” said Esterhuizen. “These players have made sacrifices to be here training full-time on Vancouver Island for a month, and their hunger to play for Canada and contribute to our success internationally is clear. A lot will be asked of these players over the coming weeks, but we know that this group is ready and eager to give everything they’ve got.”
“The focus of our U20 programming, which is an important step on our pathway towards the senior national teams, is the long-term development of the next generation of Canadian rugby players,” said Aboud. “Over the next few weeks, these players will be pushed hard as they receive excellent coaching support ahead of some valuable international match experience. We look forward to continuing to work with these players as we build our depth chart and strive towards milestones such as the 2027 Rugby World Cup.”
Following camp, the team will meet the United States in a two-game series to determine the North America berth for the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy.
The first match will be played at Shawnigan Lake School on Saturday June 1. This will be followed by a second match at Starlight Stadium in Langford on Thursday June 6. Further details, including kick-off times and livestream information, will be announced shortly.
The winner of the series will join seven other teams in Edinburgh, Scotland from July 2 to 17 for the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy, the winner of which will earn promotion to the World Rugby U20 Championship for 2024.
CANADA’S U20 MEN’S RUGBY TEAM
FORWARDS
Angus Dewar (Vancouver, BC) – Queen’s University
Austin Allen (Thornbury, ON) – Georgian Bay Titans / Trent University
Brighton Feldman (Langford, BC) – Westshore / University of Victoria
Brodie Lowry (Montreal, QC) – Beaconsfield Rugby Club / Royal Military College
Charles Trollip (Guelph, ON) – Brantford Harlequins / University of Guelph
Daragh Doyle (Dublin, IRE) – Clontarf Rugby Club
Dylan Shaw (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Scottish RFC / University of Guelph
Eric Vann (Burlington, ON) – Burlington Centaurs / University of Toronto
Finlay Kennedy (Ringwood, ENG) – Bournemouth RFC
Garin Schroeder (Stoney Creek, ON) – Burlington Centaurs / Western University
Grant Meadows (Richmond Hill, ON) – Aurora Barbarians RFC / Brock University
Jaxson Jones (Duncan, BC) – Cowichan Rugby Club / University of Victoria
Jeffrey Young (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Bedwas RFC
Justin Tasse (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Bowness High School
Kyle Finan (Barnsley, ENG) – Red Deer Titans / Trinity Western University
Liam Kinghorn (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish / University of British Columbia
Noah Kynaston (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
Olly Wiseman (London, ENG) – Cardiff Metropolitan University
Presley Bosa (Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC / Western University
Riku Konrad (Surrey, BC) – UBCOB Ravens
Ryan Cozens (Sidmouth, ENG) – Sidmouth RFC / Cardiff Metropolitan University
Thorson Noble (Victoria, BC) – University of British Columbia
BACKS
Ben Greenstein (Vancouver, BC) – UBCOB Ravens / Queen’s University
Brady Howlett (Maple Ridge, BC) – Abbotsford Rugby Club / Trinity Western University
Caleb Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Bayside Sharks / University of British Columbia
Jesse Kilgour (Barrie, ON) – Barrie RFC / Pacific Pride
Jimmy Leach (London, ENG) – Chinnor RFC / Brunel University
Liam Turnbull (Vancouver, BC) – UBCOB Ravens / St. George’s School
Lockhart MacGregor (Abbotsford, BC) – Abbotsford Panthers / University of Victoria
Matthew Bennett (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria
Marco Mitchell (Vancouver, BC) – UBCOB Ravens / University of British Columbia
Morgan Di Nardo (Toronto, ON) – Toronto City Rugby / University of Victoria
Patrick Kirwan (Vancouver, BC) – Meralomas
Spencer Cotie (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / University of Victoria
Thomas Wells Richards (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / University of Waterloo
Ty Driscoll (Victoria, BC) – Pacific Pride
About Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby 15s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.
Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, with staff also working from Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC Canada Sevens annual tournaments.
Media Contacts:
Liz Montroy
Manager, Communications
lmontroy@rugby.ca