| TKACHUK STARTS AGAINST IRELAND |
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| Thursday, 21 May 2009 | |
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Canadian Senior Men’s Coach Kieran Crowley has named Glasgow Warriors prop Kevin Tkachuk in his squad for Saturday’s Test Match against Ireland. The team features a number of experienced players that ventured on November’s Fall Tour. Receiving his first cap, however, will be Castaway Wanderer Chauncey O’Toole sliding in on the team’s flank. Uncapped James Bay scrum-half Phil Mack and University of Victoria prop Andrew Tiedemann have also been named as substitutes for the match. Coach Crowley spoke highly of the new faces in the lineup and how the young players have impressed the coaching staff during preparations for Saturday. “Chauncey has played some outstanding rugby in the last five weeks. His performances in training have pushed him up there and he deserves a shot, it’s a reward for the all the hard work he’s put in,” Crowley said before speaking about Andrew Tiedemann’s recent form. “[Andrew] has come through the Under-20 program and played quite well this year. He can cover both sides of the scrum as a prop which is very important.” Despite a disappointing loss against Ireland during the Fall Tour, Coach Crowley says the team is confident heading into Saturday’s match. “What happened in the past is history,” Crowley said. “It’s what is going to happen on Saturday now. .. So we’ve been concentrating on preparations for Saturday. It’s a case of getting our system back in place and getting our combination's together." The Irish side will feature a young squad with their back line averaging the age of 25. Munster scrum half Peter Stringer is the eldest veteran in the back line at the age of 31. Irish Coach Declan Kidney told the IRFU web site that the games against Canada and USA this summer will provide valuable experience for his youthful side. "There is a lot of youth in this back-line for Saturday, but with players like Brian (O'Driscoll), Gordon (D'Arcy) and Ronan (O'Gara) being around for so long and winning so many caps, these players have not been able to get the opportunity to get international experience,” Kidney said. "Saturday gives these players that chance to put down a marker to challenge for places and we see this as the start of our preparations for Rugby World Cup 2011 and building a squad for that tournament." Irish Captain Rory Best said his side is well prepared for the physical threat that Canada will have despite the Irish team having so many new faces in the team. “Saturday is a big challenge as Canada will certainly be a physically imposing side and will want to try and test us in all areas of the park, especially up front,” Best said. "We have to be able to meet that challenge and put in a performance. We have had a short time together, but I think there is a good blend in the team with players like Peter (Stringer) and Denis (Leamy) along with Mick O'Driscoll and Bob Casey adding experience to some of the younger players which will be important." Canada team: 15. James Pritchard (Bedford Blues) 14. Dean van Camp (Velox Valhallians/Port Perry, ON) 10. David Spicer (University of Victoria/Victoria, BC) 1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK) Replacements Ireland TEAM: 15. Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht) 14. Barry Murphy (UL Bohemians/Munster) 10. Ian Keatley (Galwegians/Connacht)* 1. Tom Court (Malone/Ulster) Replacements: |
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