February 17, 2025 (Langford, BC) – Christiaan Esterhuizen, Head Coach of Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team, has announced a long list of players for Rugby Canada’s 2025 U20 squad.
This group will convene in Vancouver, BC for a training and alignment camp from February 20 to 23. Held alongside HSBC SVNS Vancouver, the team will train at Vancouver’s St. George’s School and play an intersquad match on February 23.
This camp comes as Canada’s U20 men’s program prepares for a 2025 tour to Fiji, with further information to be announced when possible.
Players were identified and selected for the long list via their participation in university and club competition and tournaments like the U19 Canadian Rugby Championship, past performance with Canada’s age grade programs, and recommendations from provincial coaches. Players on the long list have been engaged in regular preparation and alignment calls, with staff closely monitoring players’ strength and conditioning progress as they train in their respective environments.
“We are excited to gather our players and staff in Vancouver and get the year started with our U20 programming,” said Esterhuizen. “Our staff have been impressed with the dedication and eagerness of our players already. I have seen them in action over the last few months in a variety of competitions, stretching from the Canadian Rugby Championships in Nova Scotia all the way to Vancouver Island. While some of our players based abroad will not be able to attend this short camp, we are also delighted to have players competing in strong competitions in countries like Ireland, Scotland, England, and Australia and furthering their rugby development before joining us later in the year.”
Head Coach Christiaan Esterhuizen will be joined in Vancouver by Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team Defence Coach John McFarland, Cory Hector (University of Guelph), Paddy Watson (Balmy Beach RFC), Conor Turner (Strength and Conditioning Coach), and Erin Schatkowsky (Athletic Therapist).
Additional coaching support for Sunday’s intersquad scrimmage will include Didier Banse (University of British Columbia), Bruce Rainer (University of British Columbia), Andy Evans (Trinity Western University), Aaron Takel (Collingwood School), Bill Chamberlain (St. George’s School) and Graeme Moffatt (University of Lethbridge).
CANADA’S U20 MEN’S RUGBY TEAM
2025 LONG LIST
FORWARDS
- Adam Doane (Sutton, ON) – University of Victoria / Aurora Barbarians
- Alexander Muir (Victoria, BC) – University College Dublin / UBCOB Ravens
- Alistair Yeomans (Mississauga, ON) – University of Guelph / Mississauga Blues
- Andrew Neveu (Uxbridge, ON) – Durham College / Oshawa Vikings RFC
- Angus Dewar (Vancouver, BC) – Queen’s University / UBCOB Ravens
- Austin Allen (Thornbury, ON) – Trent University / Georgian Bay Titans
- Ben Davis (Peterborough, ON) – University of Ottawa / Peterborough Pagans
- Ben Koolen (Banbury, ENG) – Bloxham School / Gloucester Rugby
- Braam Swanepoel (Pretoria, RSA) – York University
- Brighton Feldman (Langford, BC) – University of Victoria / Westshore RFC
- Chukwudumebi Odum (Mississauga, ON) – Valence Romans Drome Rugby
- Coen Quinn (Ottawa, ON) – Queen’s University / Bytown Blues RFC
- Cole Harris (Uxbridge, ON) – Pacific Pride / Brock RFC
- Daniel Lucic (Oakville, ON) – University of Guelph / Oakville Crusaders
- Daragh Doyle (Quebec City, QC) – Clontarf FC
- Elijah McQueen (Fergus, ON) – University of British Columbia / Fergus Highland Rugby
- Finn Hughes (Peterborough, ON) – Wilfrid Laurier University / Peterborough Pagans
- Jacob Blackwood (Tsawwassen, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside Sharks
- James Noftall (Conception Bay South, NL) – University of British Columbia / Swilers RFC
- Kaea Griffiths (Penzance, ENG) – Camborne RFC
- Kyle Finan (Barnsley, ENG) – Leeds Beckett University / Red Deer Titans
- Liam Kinghorn (Calgary, AB) – University of British Columbia / Calgary Irish
- Matthew Carroll (Oakville, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders
- Noah Kynaston (Esquimalt, BC) – Pacific Pride / Castaway Wanderers
- Quinn Foley (Oakville, ON) – University of Guelph / Oakville Crusaders
- Reid Yurkowski (Leduc, AB) – Capilano RFC
- Simroy John (Clapham Heights Christ Church, BRB) – Shawnigan Lake School
- Tate Hartley (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
BACKS
- Ashton Chapman (Swansea, WAL) – Gorseinon
- Benjamin Crowley (County Limerick, IRE) – Blackrock College
- Briar Barron (Holland Landing, ON) – Queen’s University / Aurora Barbarians
- Charlie Huntingford (North Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC
- Daniel Muzaliwa (Cape Town, RSA) – University of Waterloo / Waterloo County
- Devonne Henry (Whitby, ON) – Wilfrid Laurier University / Oshawa Vikings
- Emmett Rahiri (Peterborough, ON) – University of Ottawa / Peterborough Pagans
- Evan Davies (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC
- Evan Palmer (Vancouver, BC) – Queen’s University
- Jacques Henning (Okotoks, AB) – University of Alberta / Foothills Lions RFC
- Jimmy Leach (London, UK) – Brunel University
- Joe Kaufmann (Kingston, ON) – Kingston Panthers / La Salle School
- Jonty Nicholas (Wiltshire, UK) – University of British Columbia
- Joshua McIndoe (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria / Greerton Marist Rugby Club
- Kohl Kletke (Oakville, ON) – Western University / Oakville Crusaders
- Liam James (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens
- Liam Turnbull (Vancouver, BC) – UBCOB Ravens
- Matthew Bennett (Durban, RSA) – University of Victoria / Westshore RFC
- Max McGavern (Newcastle, AUS) – University of British Columbia / St Joseph’s
- Mitchell Buie (Victoria, BC) – Pacific Pride / Westshore RFC
- Morgan Di Nardo (Toronto, ON) – University of Victoria
- Reece Thompson (Minesing, ON) – University of Victoria / Barrie Rugby
- Rowan Closs (Uxbridge, ON) – Brock Rugby Club
- Spencer Cotie (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria / Castaway Wanderers
- Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – University of British Columbia / Balmy Beach Rugby Club
- 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