Canada’s Men’s U20 XVs side is hard at work in training camp ahead of their two World Rugby Junior Trophy qualifiers against USA, June 4th and 8th at Shawnigan Lake School.
Fresh off of a fantastic High School Girls’ XVs Provincial Championships at the facility, Shawnigan will host two huge matches for the Canadian U20 side.
Canada is readying themselves for two physical match ups against a strong USA squad as they look to punch their ticket to the 2019 World Rugby Junior Trophy. A tough training camp has showcased the depth of U20 talent with a focus on development for players and coaching staff alike.
Several athletes will return to the 2019 line up from Canada’s 2018 Junior Trophy squad, bringing with them experience and leadership. Senior national team talent Will Percillier of Victoria (pictured) joins a tight group of up-and-coming athletes to round out the Canadian side.
“Although qualification is important, the focus has been and will always be about the longer-term development of the athletes and plays a big part in the future plans for National Senior XV and Sevens programs,” said Gethin Watts, National Age Grade Programs Consultant and Talent ID. Another trip to the World Rugby Junior Trophy would no doubt play a great part in the development of the U20 players.
National Senior Men’s head coach Kingsley Jones has assisted the coaching staff in the planning and player monitoring throughout the camp to align the age grade programs with the senior teams and continue to build a pathway for national team athletes.
Canada will take on the USA at Shawnigan Lake School on June 4th and again on June 8th at 5 PM Pacific time. Points will be totaled after the two games with the aggregate winner qualifying for the World Rugby Junior Trophy this July in Brazil.
