Canadian Coach Ric Suggitt and his staff have chosen one of Canada's strongest teams in the past two years to play Wales at York University on Saturday. The team features a blend of experienced professionals and the best home-based players to face the Six Nations champions. "We have picked this team in the hope that we can beat Wales," says Suggitt. "We're not going out to just play the game, we're going out to win. We always take that approach."
Saskatchewan's Kevin will lead Canada, returning to the captaincy he relinquished to co-captain Mark Lawson during the recent Super Cup in Japan, in which Lawson broke his arm. T-Bone wins his 32nd cap in captaining Canada for the eighth time.
Aaron Abrams, who scored a try against the USA in the Super Cup, retains the hooking berth with Merritt's Garth Cooke earning the tight-head berth in his 21st Canadian appearance.
The second-row sees Swansea-Neath lock Luke Tait win his third cap in succession as he continues to impress. His knowledge of Canada's opponents acquired from his seven years living and playing in Wales will hold him, and Canada, in good stead. French professional Jamie Cudmore, who though he has played at #6 for Canada in most of his fourteen appearances for his country, has been playing lock all season for his Grenoble club, joins him. "This is a very solid tight-five," says Suggitt. "There is plenty of experience and toughness in this group."
The full story can be read on the official Rugby Canada site.