Kevin, who thus far has not been involved in Canada's programme this season, will return to add his wealth of experience to his country’s cause.
The squad is the strongest Canada has named in a number of years, which reflects the importance of this RWC qualifier to Canada's World Cup 2007 aspirations.
"Having Mike James, Jamie Cudmore and Kevin Tkachuk – who played for the Barbarians in June -- will add enormously to our forward pack," says Canada's coach Ric Suggitt. "Their presence will also provide us with more depth on our bench and a load more big game experience."
The upcoming 'one-off' match in Newfoundland on August 12, is of paramount importance for both Canada and the USA, with the winner earning an automatic berth as America #2 in Pool B with Australia, Wales and Fiji and Asia #1.
The loser, however, will be forced to continue its hunt for a World Cup place, home-and-away against whichever South American nation ends second to Argentina -- likely Uruguay or Chile.
The winner becomes Americas #3, while the loser enters a repechage competition against the winner of a contest between the winner of Africa #2 and Europe #4 versus the winners of Asia #2 and Oceania #3. Both the Americas #3 and repechage qualifying routes are fraught with uncertainty, and so, for both teams, winning in Newfoundland is all-important.