After a prolonged World Cup break, The Pro Report is back for one of the most exciting overseas seasons in Canadian rugby history. Our blog will be going up every weekend, and will hopefully add depth to our reporting on the many exciting storylines to emerge, following the magic of World Cup 2011.
Who will be Canada's most improved overseas star this season? Will it be Captain Sean-Michael Stephen of Plymouth Albion? He certainly has a point to prove. Having been left off of Canada's World Cup squad by Head Coach Kieran Crowley, the veteran back-row is arguably one of Canada's most accomplished professionals.
What about the man dubbed "the world's best amateur player", Chauncey O'Toole. After winning "Player of the Tournament " honours at the last ever Churchill Cup, the New Brunswick native now begins the newest chapter in his rugby rise, as he competes for a starting role with the Ospreys in Wales.
Canada's first player in the English Premiership, since Phil Murphy, dawns the same green jersey, as Jebb Sinclair starts his professional career off with London Irish. After a strong Churchill Cup and a fantastic try in his country's World Cup win over Tonga, Canada's newest export will surely be getting the chance to earn a spot in the Irish pack, where Murphy's familiar #8 once shone.
Despite being left out of the trip to New Zealand, Josh Jackson maintains his starting role with Stade Montois in the French second division; however, he no longer caries Canada's colours there by himself. Jason Marshall, perhaps one the finest raw athletes the Canadian rugby system has ever produced, has earned himself a year-long contract with Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne. Signings like these make room in the Canadian carded system for some of the up and coming stars, who will help fill out Canada's roster for the next World Cup in 2015.
What about the man dubbed "the world's best amateur player", Chauncey O'Toole. After winning "Player of the Tournament " honours at the last ever Churchill Cup, the New Brunswick native now begins the newest chapter in his rugby rise, as he competes for a starting role with the Ospreys in Wales.
Canada's first player in the English Premiership, since Phil Murphy, dawns the same green jersey, as Jebb Sinclair starts his professional career off with London Irish. After a strong Churchill Cup and a fantastic try in his country's World Cup win over Tonga, Canada's newest export will surely be getting the chance to earn a spot in the Irish pack, where Murphy's familiar #8 once shone.
Despite being left out of the trip to New Zealand, Josh Jackson maintains his starting role with Stade Montois in the French second division; however, he no longer caries Canada's colours there by himself. Jason Marshall, perhaps one the finest raw athletes the Canadian rugby system has ever produced, has earned himself a year-long contract with Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne. Signings like these make room in the Canadian carded system for some of the up and coming stars, who will help fill out Canada's roster for the next World Cup in 2015.
Then there are players who have just appeared on Canada's radar, like Mark Kohler of the Bedford Blues. Working alongside his mentor James Pritchard, can Kohler do enough to earn the attention of Canada's national XV's or Sevens selectors?
Add names like DTH Van der Merwe, Jamie Cudmore and Phil Mackenzie to the list, and it soon becomes clear that Canada is fielding one of its finest corps of overseas players in recent memory. We will bring you all of the action week by week, as Canada's stars pursue their rugby dreams overseas.... Only in the pages of The Rugby Canada Pro Report!
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