Chiefs utility forward Tyler Ardron has been selected as captain of the Canadian squad and will skipper the team at a second World Cup campaign.

The 28-year-old, who has featured prominently for the Hamilton-based side in recent seasons, leads a squad consisting mostly of players playing in the North American Major League Rugby competition.

Veteran Glasgow Warriors wing DTH van der Merwe will play in a fourth Rugby World Cup, having featured in all of the Canadians’ 12 pool matches since the 2007 tournament.

Van der Merwe, who has scored 38 tries over the course of a 13-year international career, will finally get the opportunity to play against the country of his birth when Canada clash with South Africa on 8 October in Kobe.

Coach Kingsley Jones has included 14 players with World Cup experience in his squad, with Conor Trainor, Ciaran Hearn and Hubert Buydens all set to feature at their third World Cups.

The Canadians defeated Kenya, Hong Kong and Germany to book their spot in Japan as the final team to qualify, having won the repechage tournament in November of last year.

Ranked 21st in the world and with only one win from seven Tests this year, Canada are in Pool B with Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and Namibia.

Canada World Cup squad:

Forwards: Tyler Ardron (c), Kyle Baillie, Justin Blanchet, Hubert Buydens, Luke Campbell, Matt Heaton, Eric Howard, Jake Ilnicki, Cole Keith, Conor Keys, Evan Olmstead, Benoit Piffero, Andrew Quattrin, Lucas Rumball, Djustice Sears-Duru, Mike Sheppard, Matthew Tierney.

Backs: Nick Blevins, Andrew Coe, Jeff Hassler, Ciaran Hearn, Ben LeSage, Phil Mack, Jamie Mackenzie, Gordon McRorie, Peter Nelson, Shane O’Leary, Patrick Parfrey, Taylor Paris, Conor Trainor, DTH van der Merwe.

Photo: EPA/MARCELO ENDELLI