Snow recalled by Canada

Canada coach David Clark today recalled Newport prop Rod Snow as one of seven changes to his side for what could prove a crunch Pool D showdown with Italy on Tuesday.

Snow will pack down in a revamped front row along with Mark Lawson and Jon Thiel as Clark attempts to thwart Italy’s “powerful front three“.

Clark’s selections for Canada’s last game, against New Zealand, were based solely on the players’ defensive abilities and they at least managed to trouble the All Blacks up front.

“Those included from the last game did a very good job against the All Blacks and should be rewarded for their work,” said Clark.

“There were also some very good performances against Wales which gave us a very happy situation, if not a dilemma as to who to put in.”

After three separate selection meetings, it was decided that veteran skipper Al Charron would win his 75th cap, but he will start at lock after admitting his role in the side needed to be re-evaluated following Canada’s opening defeat to Wales.

Charron fought his way back from knee surgery to make the World Cup, but issued the immortal words “the game is getting faster and I am getting slower” after the loss in Melbourne.

He will start alongside Colin Yukes, with James Cudmore switched to the blindside flank and Ryan Banks to start at number eight.

Saracens scrum-half Morgan Williams returns to the line-up, while Marco Di Girolamo will become the only member of the squad to have started all three of Canada’s World Cup games.

“He can smell a threat coming up and he can smell and opportunity,” said Clark, who has seen the 26-year-old rise through the youth and sevens ranks.

Canada could have no chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals if Wales manage a win and a bonus point against Tonga today.

Canada team to play Italy on Tuesday: Q Fyffe; W Stanley, J Cannon, M Di Girolamo, D Lougheed; J Barker, M Williams; R Snow, M Lawson, J Thiel, C Yukes, A Charron (capt), J Cudmore, J Douglas, R Banks.

Replacements: A Abrams, K Tkachuk, J Reid, J Jackson, S Fauth, B Ross, M King.