With only two weeks to go until the IRB North America 4 kicks off with an all Canadian affair at Fletcher’s Fields in Markham, the squads for two-time defending champions Canada West and Canada East have been unveiled.

The two representative sides include a mix of members of Canada’s Rugby World Cup 2007 squad, players who have appeared on the IRB Sevens World Series this season as well as others will be in action at the IRB Junior World Championship next month.

Canada West, who beat USA Falcons 43-11 in the 2007 final to retain their grip on the cross-border tournament’s trophy, have RWC 2007 veterans in Adam Kleeberger, Pat Riordan and DTH van der Merwe in their ranks, along with former Canadian hooker Pat Dunkley and Luke Cudmore, the younger brother of senior international Jamie.

Nanyak Dala impressed in last year’s NA4, Neil Meechan has been a regular on the IRB Sevens World Series this season, while Peter Jawl, Mauro Perizzolo, Sean White, Ty Shannon and Andrew Tiedemann were all named last month in Canada’s squad for the inaugural IRB Junior World Championship in Wales from 6-22 June.

Canada East finished fourth in 2007 after losing the third place playoff 34-29, but have also opted for a blend of youth and experience with Aaron Carpenter, Mike Pletch, Mike Webb and Ciaran Hearn having played for the national side at Rugby World Cup 2007.

Hearn, Dean van Camp, Kris Witkowski and Jarod Selby have all played on the IRB Sevens World Series, while Russ Ward, Jamie Mackenzie and Mike Scholtz are other members of the Under 20 squad heading to Wales to spearhead Canada’s challenge in the inaugural tournament.

Big test awaits in Markham

Canada West came out on top 26-24 when the sides met in the opening fixture of the 2007 tournament and will be looking to once again get their title defence off to a winning start in Ontario on 17 May – a game both coaches expect to be a tight affair.

“This game is a major opportunity for players new and old to put their hands up for selection to the Churchill Cup,” said West assistant coach John Tait, who takes charge for the opening match as head coach Tony Medina is unavailable.

“Both teams will be looking to run and show they can play fast attacking rugby. I expect it to be a physical match and the toughest game any of our domestic based players will have had this year.”

East coach Simon Blanks, whose younger brother Dean is in his squad, added: “Experience is vital if we are to have any hope of topping the West. Big game players who won’t panic under pressure are going to be integral to our success in the tournament … especially the first game.”

The North America 4 then takes a break after this opening match, resuming on 10 July with the all American affair between USA Falcons and USA Hawks in Gresham, Oregan with the final taking place in Glendale, Colorado on 2 August.

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Meanwhile the coaching set ups have been announced for the USA Falcons and USA Hawks, the North America 4 representative teams which have now been separated into geographical regions.

The Hawks, now representing the eastern region of the USA, will again be coached by Marty Wiggins with Adam Friend - the Falcons coach in 2007 - and Bill LeClerc acting as his assistant coaches. Stu Krohn will coach the Falcons, now drawn from the Pacific region, with Mike Saunders and Ray Lehner his assistants. 

Canada West squad:
Aidan Buan, James Buchanan, Hubert Buydens, Emile Christensen, Luke Cudmore, Nanyak Dala, Pat Dunkley, Mark Fisher, Pat Fleck, Peter Jawl, Ben Johnston, Bryn Keys, Adam Kleeberger, Tony La Carte, Neil Meechan, Nolan Miles, Mauro Perizzolo, Pat Riordan, Ty Shannon, Andrew Tiedemann, Tyler Hotson, DTH van der Merwe, Adam van Staveren, Daniel White, Sean White,

Head Coach: Tony Medina
Assistant Coaches: Morgan Williams and John Tait

Canada East squad:
Galdric Baisset, Dean Blanks, Aaron Carpenter, Scott Dunham, Andrew Fagan, Ciaran Hearn, Jordan Kozina, Jamie Mackenzie, Chauncey O'Toole, Nolan Ott, Kevin Parfrey, Colin Penney, Steve Piatek, Mike Pletch, Carl Pocock, Jarod Selby, Mike Scholz, Jebb Sinclair, Devin Stubel, Dean van Camp, Russ Ward, Mike Webb, Andrew Wilson, Robert Wilson, Kris Witkowski, Doug Wooldridge.
 
Head Coach: Simon Blanks
Assistant Coaches: Andy Pocock and Les Gilson