NEWS REPORT

While Canadian fans in Kingston, Hamilton, and Markham prepare to enjoy a festival of Rugby when teams for the fourth Pan American Rugby Association (PARA) Tournament arrive in two weeks, Rugby Canada is facing stern challenges in selecting its squads. Injuries, suspensions and unavailability have led to some marked changes from the original squad. And, while the Canucks struggle to field their best team, the United States Eagles and the Argentinean Pumas have named strong squads to contest the Championships.

David Clark, Canada's National Coach, had hoped to have all of Canada's professionals home for at least the U.S.A game, which is also the qualifying game for the PacificRim Tournament Final Four, and probably " the most important game of the year for Canada." However, Dan Baugh is under suspension for three more games, while Philip Murphy, Mike James, Morgan Williams and Winston Stanley are all unavailable. Canada will still hope to have back veteran captain Al Charron (Pau, France), together with a stron backbone of overseas Players - Gregor Dixon (Aurillac, France), Nik Witkowski (Perpignan, France), Duane Major (Burnside, New Zealand), Mike Schmid (Rotherham), Rod Snow (Newport, Wales), Scott Stewart (Bedford ,England), John Tait (Cardiff, Wales) and Jon Thiel (Sale Sharks, England).

The United States Eagles will have their own overseas Players returning to their squad. Under Australian coach Duncan Hall, the United States team will include overseas players Luke Gross (Roma, Italy), Dave Hodges (Llanelli, Wales), Dan Lyle (Bath, England), Alexander Magleby (Silverdale, New Zealand), Kevin Dalzell (Montferrand, France) and Link Wilfley (Wests, Brisbane), and they will be out to maintain their winning streak over the Canadians.

Canada's selection problems have been further compounded by injury to talented outside-half Jared Barker who is gone for the season, and the unavailability of half back Nick Milau due to work commitments. Clark will be pleased to see the return to the squad of two experienced Players in Bob Ross and Colin Robertson, who have both been away from international rugby for a short break. However, there are some excellent opportunities for several uncapped new Players to make a name for themselves.

Fred Asselin, the speedy Sevens winger returns to the squad. Dale Burleigh will compete for the hook position with Pat Dunkley back from illness last year, while fellow Ontarian Boris Stoikos will hope to play after travelling to Italy last fall and being injured. John Cannon will challenge for a center position, while both Marco DiGirolamo and Ed Fairhurst will want the starting half back role. Ron Johnstone and Jeff Tomlinson return to the squad seeking their first caps, while Colin Yukes the young Lock from Alberta joins the squad for the first time.

The competition for the Canada squad does not get any easier after the USA game as Snow, Charron and Witkowski will probably be unavailable for the matches against Uruguay and Argentina. Argentina are the current PARA Champions and have the highest world ranking of all the participants. They are bringing several new young Players to the Tournament, but they are obviously intent on maintaining their crown with the inclusion of such stars as utility backs Gonzalo Camardon ( Roma, Italy), and Felipe Contepomi and Eduardo Simone (Bristol, England), Prop Santiago Gonzalez Bonorino of leading French Club, Castres, and playmaker Agustin Pichot of Bristol, England.

While Argentina are ranked 10th in the world, Canada follow at 11th , the USA at 16th and Uruguay at 19th.

Canada's squads will be selected from: