Veteran lock Jamie Cudmore bolsters Canada lineup for Samoa rugby test

GRENOBLE, France – Canada will be bolstered by the return of veteran lock Jamie Cudmore for Friday’s rugby test against Samoa in Grenoble, France, the final game of the Canadian men’s three-match European tour.

The 38-year-old from Squamish, B.C., missed the earlier 52-21 and 21-14 losses to Ireland and Romania, respectively, through injury.

Cudmore, who plays professionally in France for Oyonnax, is one of five changes to coach Mark Anscombe’s starting lineup.

Rob Brouwer comes in for Djustice Sears-Duru at prop while the introduction of Cudmore shifts Evan Olmstead to blindside flanker in place of Kyle Baillie,

Phil Mack, who scored a try off the bench against Romania, replaces Gord McRorie at scrum half. Nick Blevins and Ciaran Hearn come in at centre in place of Ben Lesage and Conor Trainor, who replaces Taylor Paris on the wing.

Canada is ranked 18th in the world compared to No. 14 for Samoa, which is coming off losses to France and Georgia.

Canada has never beaten Samoa in five attempts. The Samoans won 21-20 last year at Toronto’s BMO Field in the Pacific Nations Cup on a last-minute try in a game that saw Canada lead 13-3 at one point.

Travis Larsen, a 25-year-old from Nanaimo, B.C., has joined the Canadian tour party as an injury replacement for Aaron Carpenter.

Canada

Rob Brouwer, Lindsay RFC, Lindsay, Ont.; Ray Barkwill, Castaway Wanderers, Niagara Falls, Ont.; Jake Ilnicki – Manawatu Turbos (New Zealand), Williams Lake, B.C.; Jamie Cudmore, Oyonnax (France), Squamish, B.C.; Brett Beukeboom , Cornish Pirates (England), Lindsay, Ont.; Evan Olmstead, Newcastle Falcons (England), Vancouver; Matt Heaton, Darlington Mowden Park (England), Godmanchester, Que.; Admir Cejvanovic, Burnaby Lake RFC, Burnaby, B.C.; Phil Mack, James Bay AA, Victoria; Connor Braid, James Bay AA, Victoria; Conor Trainor, RC Vannes (France), Vancouver; Nick Blevins, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Ciaran Hearn, London Irish (England), Conception Bay, N.L.; DTH van der Merwe (capt.), Scarlets (Wales), Victoria; Matt Evans, Cornish Pirates (England), Maple Bay, B.C.

Replacements

Eric Howard, Brantford Harlequins, Ottawa; Djustice Sears-Duru, Glasgow Warriors (Scotland), Oakville, Ont.; Matt Tierney, Section Paloise (France), Oakville, Ont.; Conor Keys, UVIC Vikes, Stittsville, Ont.; Clay Panga, Westshore RFC, Calgary; Andrew Ferguson, Oakville Crusaders, Mississauga, Ont.; Pat Parfrey, James Bay AA, St. John’s, N.L.; Ben Lesage, UBC Thunderbirds, Calgary.