Tolkin Announces Starters For Canada Clash

Mike Tolkin has announced his starting lineup for Saturday's match against Canada. By and large the squad remains the core group of players that Tolkin has used throughout the summer but with a few tweaks. The biggest of those tweaks has Samu Manoa sliding in at lock alongside Lou Stanfill with Peter Dahl taking his place in the back-row. Manoa has played lock very successfully for Northampton the last two years so the move shouldn't be a problem for him. In essence it came down to a selection of Peter Dahl over Brian Doyle. The other major change has Blaine Scully sliding in at wing. Luke Hume was the odds on favorite to take the other wing selection alongside Taku Ngwenya. However, Hume is recovering from an injury and has been held out as a precautionary measure.

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There was also some question regarding who would fill in at outside center now that Paul Emerick has retired. It was a little less of a mystery considering that Adam Siddall was unavailable for the series. Seamus Kelly will get the start. He's done well when given the opportunity so far this summer. The only other major change to the roster comes on the bench where young prop Titi Lamositele could make his Eagles debut. In talking with Tolkin on earlier occasions the selection comes purely on merit. Folau Niua could also make his debut.

The rest of the squad remains the same as it has been over the last year. Shawn Pittman and Eric Fry return at the props while Chris Biller starts at Hooker. Scott LaValla will slide in at flanker while Todd Clever will take his usual No. 8 position. He will of course captain the side as well. Mike Petri and Toby L'Estrange are the halfback pairing. There was some question whether Petri or Robbie Shaw would start but Petri has also been the odds on favorite. Andrew Suniula will play at inside center and Chris Wyles will play his usual fullback.

On the bench Zach Fenoglio, Lamositele, and Phil Thiel provide options along the front row. Brian Doyle and Cam Dolan give options at lock and flanker respectively. Shaw, Niua, and Roland Suniula make up the backs.

The players invited to the wider 31-man training camp but not on the 26-man RWCQ roster include Trevor Cassidy, Robert Garvis, Travis Whitlock, Chris Chapman, Nick Wallace, and Shaun Davies. Chris Sullivan from Life is a surprise inclusion.

Overall it should be a strong team for the Eagles. Moving Manoa to lock should provide a great balance for Canada's Jamie Cudmore. At almost every other position the team should balance up well against Canada. They also have one of their stronger forward packs in recent memory.

What's your take on the roster? Would you make any changes?

1. Shawn Pittman
2. Chris Biller
3. Eric Fry
4. Lou Stanfill
5. Samu Manoa
6. Scott LaValla
7. Peter Dahl
8. Todd Clever (C)
9. Mike Petri
10. Toby L'Estrange
11. Blaine Scully
12. Andrew Suniula
13. Seamus Kelly
14. Taku Ngwenya
15. Chris Wyles

16. Zach Fenoglio
17. Titi Lamositele
18. Phil Thiel
19. Brian Doyle
20. Cam Dolan
21. Robbie Shaw
22. Folau Niua
23. Roland Suniula

On the RWCQ roster but not on the gameday squad: Graham Harriman, Luke Hume, Chris Sullivan