International Rugby: Irish Tour Begins

23.05.2009
Ireland v Canada in Vancouver

Preview
Ireland's inexperienced side will not find Canada the pushover they were during the November 2008 test between these sides. This Canadian side is a good mix of experience and youth. The Canadians will be remembering their famous 27-27 draw against the Irish in Toronto back in 2000.

Previous Encounters
08.11.2008 Ireland 55-0 in Limerick
17.06.2000 Drawn 27-27 in Toronto
30.11.1997 Ireland 33-11 in Dublin
30.05.1987 Ireland 46-19 in Dunedin (World Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Ireland 3rd, Canada 19th

Prediction: Ireland by 24 points
Ireland will eventually outlast the Canadians but it will be a physical encounter,

Teams

Canada
15. James Pritchard (Bedford RFC, England) Age 28, 24 tests
14. Dean van Camp (Velox Valhallians) 26, 7
13. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers) 22, 3
12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish) 29, 40
11. DTH van der Merwe (James Bay AA) 23, 6
10. David Spicer (University of Victoria) 24, 17
9. Edward Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates, England) 30, 40
8. Aaron Carpenter (Brantford Harelquins) 25, 20
7. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria) 25, 15
6. Chauncey O'Toole (Castaway Wanderers) ?, New Cap
5. Michael Burak (Cornish Pirates, England) 28, 18
4. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens) 24, 5
3. Scott Franklin (Cornish Pirates, England) 28, 7
2. Patrick Riordan (University of Victoria) 29, 20
1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) 32, 43
Replacements:
16. Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria) 20, New Cap
17. Luke Tait (Stade Montois, France) 27, 14
18. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers) 23, 4
19. Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers) 24, 3
20. Sean Michael Stephen (Plymouth Albion, England) 26, 16
21. Phillip Mack (James Bay AA) 23, New Cap
22. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy) 27, 11
Coach: Kieran Crowley

http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3817&leagueID=13651&page=35729

Van der Merwe and Tait both last played for Canada v Australia at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Data from rugbyinternational database

Ireland
15. Gavin Duffy (Connacht) Age 27, 8 Tests
14. Barry Murphy (Munster) 26, 2
13. Darren Cave (Ulster) 22, New cap
12. Ian Whitten (Ulster) 21, New Cap
11. Ian Dowling (Munster) 24, New Cap
10. Ian Keatley (Connacht) 22, New Cap
9. Peter Stringer (Munster) 31, 89
8. Denis Leamy (Munster) 27, 40
7. Niall Ronan (Munster) 26, New Cap
6. John Muldoon (Connacht) 24, New Cap
5. Michael O'Driscoll (Munster) 30, 15
4. Robert Casey (London Irish, England) 30, 5
3. Anthony Buckley (Shannon/Munster) 28, 11
2. Rory Best, Capt. (Ulster) 26, 31
1. Thomas Court (Ulster) 28, 2
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin (Connacht) 23, New Cap
17. Michael Ross (Harlequins, England) 29, New Cap
18. Ryan Caldwell Ulster) 24, New Cap
19. Donnacha Ryan (Munster) 24, 1
20. Eoin Reddan (London Wasps, England) 28, 14
21. Niall O'Connor (Ulster) 21, New cap
22. Denis Hurley (Munster) 24, New Cap
Head Coach: Declan Kidney

http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3817&leagueID=13651&page=35729

Duffy and O’Driscoll last played for Ireland in 2007-08 , whilst Murphy last played in 2007-07. Casey last played for Ireland 9 years ago in 2000.
Stats from rugbyinternational database