Coming off the stingingly comprehensive 42-12 loss to Samoa last week to begin its fall tour, the Langford-based Canadian national rugby team regroups for another Test match today against Russia.
The venue is the same as last week's rebuke administered by the more physical world No. 10 Samoans - Parc Eirias at Colwyn Bay, Wales - with the game to be shown at 5 p.m. Pacific on TSN.
Canadian head coach Kieran Crowley of Mill Bay, a former New Zealand All Blacks World Cup champion, is starting three Castaway Wanderers-associated players today in Jebb Sinclair, Chauncey O'Toole and Ciaran Hearn. Also starting is Tyler Ardron, who captained Canada in the recent Americas championship held at Westhills Stadium in Langford.
CW-associated Hubert Buydens and Nanyak Dala will be dressed in reserve today alongside Connor Braid, a try scorer against Samoa, and Phil Mack of James Bay Athletic Association.
Canada, ranked No. 13 in the world, is 2-0 all-time against the No. 20 Russia Bears.
The Russians also are coming off a one-sided loss last week at Colwyn Bay - 40-26 to the world No. 17 United States Eagles.
Canada closes out its tour Friday against the New Zealand Maori at historic Iffley Road, Oxford, where running legend Roger Bannister became the first man in history to breach the four-minute mile.
