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With Italy鈥檚 difficult last-16 Euro 2016 soccer match-up with Spain the dominant sports story for Italians at the moment, it may be forgotten that the country also plays rugby to a decent level.
The Langford-based Canadian national team meets Six Nations side Italy in a Test match at BMO Field in Toronto today (9 a.m. PT on TSN).
Ciaran Hearn has been brought back into the XVs mix following his efforts in last weekend鈥檚 failed Canadian attempt in sevens to advance to the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in the last-chance qualifier held in Monaco.
Hearn鈥檚 presence will make it 50 career caps for the World Cup veteran and brings to three the number of starters for today鈥檚 Test from the Castaway Wanderers of Oak Bay.
Now a pro with London Irish, Hearn joins fellow Castaway Wanderers products, forwards Ray Barkwill and Jake Ilnicki, on the starting roster.
鈥淚 take what I learned in sevens and apply it to XVs and take what I learned in XVs and apply it to sevens,鈥� Hearn said.
鈥淵ou take what you can from both and put it into what you鈥檙e doing.鈥�
Only 15 other Canadian players have reached the career 50-cap plateau. But it is just a number, said 30-year-old Hearn, part of the Castaway Wanderers鈥� well-worn Newfoundland pipeline.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 pay attention to the numbers [of caps],鈥� the six-foot-three, 220-pound, centre said in a statement.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an honour every time to play for your country. I鈥檓 just thinking about going out there and getting the win.鈥�
Starting at fullback today is Matt Evans of Duncan, who scored a memorable try against Italy in the highly competitive 23-18 Canadian loss in pool play during the 2015 World Cup.
The Shawnigan Lake School Stags graduate would love to reprise that run, but not the result.
sa国际传媒 is 2-6 all-time against Italy, which has won the last five meetings.
The Canadians moved up one spot to world No. 17 following last weekend鈥檚 46-21 Test victory over Russia in Calgary. sa国际传媒 began its June Test series with a 26-22 loss to No. 11 Japan at sa国际传媒 Place following a training camp at Shawnigan Lake.
The No. 13 Italians conclude their Americas tour today following a 30-24 loss to host and world No. 5 Argentina in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a 24-20 win over the No. 18 U.S. Eagles in San Jose, California.
