Ontario Blues Senior Men's Squad Host UCD In Two Match Series

August 4th, 2019

(WHITBY, ON) – Rugby Ontario is very please to announce that the Ontario Senior Blues Developmental Program will be hosting one of the most prestigious university rugby sides in the world in a two-match test series as University College Dublin (Ireland) tours Canada.

"The Club has a proud history with players having represented the British and Irish Lions:Niall Brophy (1959, 1962); Bill Mulcahy (1959); Barry Bresnihan (1966, 1968); Ray McLoughlin (1966); Mick Doyle (1968) Fergus Slattery (1971, 1974); Tom Grace (1974); Denis Hickie (2005); Brian O'Driscoll (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013) Rob Kearney (2009, 2013); Seán O'Brien (2013, 2017)", stated tour manager Nigel Osbourne.

In addition to previous international caps, recent Irish Internationals that have represented UCD RFC include: Adam Byrne, Ross Byrne, Joey Carbery, John Cooney, Fergus McFadden, Dan Leavy, Luke McGrath, Kevin McLaughlin, Andrew Porter, Garry Ringrose, Rhys Ruddock, James Ryan, James Tracy, Josh Van Der Flier.

While proud of their representative players, most students that play rugby in UCD are recreational players. Touring overseas has always been considered an important part of the club’s player development programme. Previous overseas tours include USA 1980, Australia 1984, Canada 1991 and South Africa 2010 & 2016. 

The 2019 tour, led by Club Captain Jonny Guy, will be one of the largest in the Club’s history, with a party of over 40 players visiting Toronto, Kingston, St. Anne de Bellevue and Montreal and will include fixtures against Ontario Under 23s and Montreal Irish. The tour is a development tour which includes U20 and Senior Squad players and follows in the footsteps of a memorable 1991 Tour to Canada, led by Captain Kevin Hogan. 

"What a great opportunity for our young developing rugby players to play such a quality squad that has such a rich history of excellence." stated Rugby Ontario High Performance Manager Paul Connelly. "I know that I am getting really old as I was lucky enough to play against UCD on their 1991 tour! Seems like yesterday.”

A big highlight for Rugby Ontario is that the Sunday test at Queen's University will be the kick-off for the Eastern Canadian U16 and U18 Rugby Championships. "Over 750 athletes from across Eastern Canada will be able to watch some of the best young players in the world" stated Connelly. "What a great way to kick-off their week of competition."

“We are very excited to see how our boys measure up to team as quality as UCD, one would only look at their alma matter to realize that the team is a breeding ground for talent” said Phil Murphy, Head Coach of the Ontario Blues Senior Men’s Squad. 

Details about the two match test series can be found below. 

Details for the Two Match Test Series

Test #1

Wednesday August 7th at Fletcher's Field Markham

Stadium Pitch

Toronto Barbarians vs. UCD 2nd XV K.O. 5:30 pm

ROSTER

Ontario Blues – Barbarians vs. Dublin 5:30pm kickoff at Fletcher’s Fields 

1. Mike Gallagher
2. Aaron Sommerhalder
3. Evan MacKay
4. Charles Oulton
5. Nelson Stoneham
6. Liam Spafford
7. Levi Konecny
8. Kallum Thompson
9. Jack Mahoney
10. David Kavtiashuili
11. Jordan Henstra
12. Roy Walters
13. Ty Jacob
14. Ryan Connelly 
15. Carter Bondy
16. Jackson Amos
17. Gary Dyster
18. Rhys Gregory
19. Adam McNee
20. Ryan Jones
21. Jordan Henry
22. Stu Lamb
23. Taylor Dallas

Ontario Blues U-23 Developmental vs. UCD 1st XV, K.O. 7:00 pm*, Post Match Social to follow

ROSTER

Ontario Blues vs Dublin 7:00pm kickoff at Fletcher's Fields

1. Emerson Prior
2. Daniel Cooper
3. Jeff Wood
4. John Stoneham
5. Hank Stephenson
6. Zach Zorbas
7. George Manoukas
8. Andrew MacDonald
9. Nathan Roberts
10. Nathan Boeyena
11. Josh Bald
12. Jackson Smith
13. Mitch Voralek
14. Miguel Palij
15. Paul Schroeder
16. Mike Gallagher
17. Aaron Sommerhalder
18. Evan MacKay
19. Charles Oulton
20. Levi Konecny
21. Ty Jacob
22. Jack Mahoney
23. David Kavtiashuili
24. Jordan Henstra
25. Carter Bondy

Test #2

Sunday August 11th at Queen's University Kingston

Nixon Field

Ontario Barbarians vs. UCD 2nd XV

K.O. 4:30 pm

Ontario Blues U-23 Developmental vs. UCD 2nd XV

K.O. 6:00 pm

*Post Match Social to follow.

ABOUT THE ONTARIO BLUES

The Ontario Blues program is the high performance representative program for male and female rugby players in Ontario. Rugby Ontario is represented at the provincial level by the Ontario Blues. The program includes representative teams from Under-15 to Senior in both Women’s and Men’s Fifteens and Under-18 Men's and Women's Sevens. Specifically, the program is designed to develop and showcase rugby players for Canadian representative national teams.

ABOUT RUGBY ONTARIO

Rugby Ontario is the provincial sports governing body responsible for the organization of rugby in Ontario. Our mission is to establish a stronger identity for rugby in Ontario by promoting the sport’s core values and by fostering a culture of inclusiveness and excellence on and off the field of play.

To learn more, visit https://www.rugbyontario.com/

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Dalton Finkbeiner

Communications and Marketing Coordinator - Rugby Ontario

647-560-4790 x 1006
dfinkbeiner@rugbyontario.com

JOIN THE CONVERSATION