The U18 rugby Summer Series between Canada and the U.S. will get underway at Brentwood College School this Sunday.
The first of the three games is set for this Sunday, followed by a second match next Wednesday and a third next Sunday (July 14). All three matches will kick off at 5 p.m.
The first two games will be used as warmup matches, with all players getting at least one chance to start, and the final will be a full international test.
Three players from the Cowichan Valley are in the mix to play for Canada in the Summer Series, including Mill Bay’s Ciaran Breen, who captained Shawnigan Lake School to the AAAA boys title at the provincial championships this spring. Breen’s Shawnigan teammate Brenner Kelava is also on the list, as is Brentwood’s Jacob Bossi.
“Selection decisions are always difficult,” Canadian head coach Mike Curran said when the roster was announced in April. “Rugby Canada understands that players develop at different times and within varying environments. The age-grade staff continue to ensure that the pathway has multiple entry points to reflect those realities.”
The 24-man roster was narrowed down from 60 players who took part in the North American 4 series in late December and early January, also against the U.S.
“The ultimate goal is to identify the correct players for the Canada U20s and eventually the senior men’s XV and sevens programs,” Curran related. “Moving beyond the July Series, athletes will again be evaluated through the U19 Canadian Rugby Championship as well as various regional school, club, and provincial competitions.”
The third game of the series on July 14 will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/RugbyCanada