Canadians revel in outsider status

THEY play for clubs with names like Castaway Wanderers, Velox Valhallians, University of Victoria Vikings and Bayside Sharks. Their season is a stop-start affair because of the vast size of the country and its contrasting climates while their coach is still getting to know some of his squad.

Not surprisingly Canada are rank outsides for their clash with Ireland at Thomond Park on Saturday.

But such underdog status doesn’t seem to faze coaches Kieran Crowley and skipper Pat Riordan.