Pool A: Canada boosted by Cudmore's return

SECONDROW Jamie Cudmore, who has won only three caps for Canada since the 2007 World Cup, will play an important role when the Canucks meet Tonga in Pool A at the Northland Events Centre tomorrow.

Cudmore was part of Canadas 2003 and ’07 World Cup squads, but a combination of injuries and commitments with French team Clermont Auvergne meant he spent almost four years out of the national reckoning. His first appearance since Canada lost to Fiji at RWC 2007 came when he played in the victory over Russia at the 2011 Churchill Cup in June.

The biggest player in the squad, at 198cm and 116kg, Cudmore then anchored the secondrow in the their two Test match wins over USA in August and the final warm-up, a loss to the Australian Barbarians later that month.

Coach Kieran Crowley said: “Its his first time hes been back since Ive been here, which is three and a half years. Its not that he hasnt wanted to be in, hes been missing through either injury or other circumstances so its great to see him back.”