Star winger DTH van der Merwe to captain Canada in June rugby internationals

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

“He has tremendous pace and he’s a cheeky confident player, which is what you need in the positions he could end up playing. He’s a great option for us to have.”

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of May 4, 2026

1h ago

Notice of unclaimed ashes: Alf Michael James Steen

23h ago

TWO & OUT

PETERS: The world is telling you not to travel. Don't listen.

23h ago

The Canadian team will be without Connor Braid, Admir Cejvanovic and Andrew Coe, who are with the national sevens squad.

Taylor Paris, Matt Evans, Conor Trainor and Ciaran Hearn are among those left out as they recover from injury.

The roster includes 12 overseas pros and 17 members of Canada’s centralized program.

Canada, ranked 21st in the world, opens June 9 against fifth-ranked Scotland on June 9 at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium before taking on No. 19 Russia on June 16 at Ottawa’s Twin Elm Rugby Park and the 15th-ranked U.S. Eagles on June 23 at Halifax’s Wanderers Ground.

The Canadian men are gearing up for a four-team repechage tournament in November, which represents their third and final attempt to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Russia, Scotland and the U.S. have already booked their ticket to the world rugby showcase.

Canada Roster

Tyler Ardron (vice-capt.), Chiefs (New Zealand), Lakefield, Ont.; Noah Barker, James Bay AA, Courtenay, B.C.; Ray Barkwill, Seattle Seawolves (MLR), Niagara Falls, Ont.; Nick Blevins, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Luke Campbell, James Bay AA, Victoria; Paul Ciulini, Aurora Barbarians, Vaughan, Ont.; Cole Davis, Calgary Saints, Calgary; Dustin Dobravsky, Castaway Wanderers, Hanover, Germany; Guiseppe du Toit, UVIC Vikes, Maple Ridge, B.C.; Andrew Ferguson, Oakville Crusaders, Mississauga, Ont.; Doug Fraser, Castaway Wanderers, Ladysmith, B.C.; Jeff Hassler, unattached, Okotoks, Alta.; Matt Heaton, Darlington Mowden Park (England), Godmanchester, Que.; Eric Howard, New Orleans Gold (MLR); Jake Ilnicki, Yorkshire Carnegie (England), Williams Lake, B.C.; Cole Keith, James Bay AA, Sussex, N.B.; Conor Keys, UVIC Vikes, Stittsville, Ont.; Ryan Kotlewski, Westshore RFC, Calgary; Josh Larsen, Otago (New Zealand), Parksville, B.C.; Ben LeSage, UBC Thunderbirds, Calgary; Kainoa Lloyd, Mississauga Blues, Mississauga, Ont.; Phil Mack (vice-capt.), Seattle Seawolves (MLR), Victoria; Gordon McRorie, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Shane O’Leary Ealing Trailfinders (England), Cork, Ireland; Evan Olmstead, unattached, Vancouver; Pat Parfrey, Swilers RFC, St. John’s, N.L.; Lucas Rumball, Balmy Beach RFC, Mississauga, Ont.; Theo Sauder, UBC Thunderbirds, Vancouver; Djustice Sears-Duru, unattached, Oakville, Ont.; DTH van der Merwe (capt.), Glasgow Warriors (Scotland), Victoria.

The Canadian Press