By Matt Findlay

In analysing Canada’s Rugby World Cup (RWC) squad, and chances, one crucial factor pops out – experience, or lack thereof.

Canadian head coach Kieran Crowley named his 31-man squad some time ago, and it features 18 players who have never graced rugby’s top stage before.

Despite the glaringly obvious potential for such inexperienced players to crumble in the pressure cooker of a RWC, Crowley said he’s confident the cool, and level heads of his more experienced players will offset the rawness of the rest of his squad.

In particular he’s talking about skipper Jamie Cudmore, playing in his fourth RWC, and Al Charron, Aaron Carpenter and DTH Van Der Merwe, all of whom will play in their third.

“They bring a wealth of experience,” said Crowley.

”Jamie’s been around a long time and Jebb Sinclair and Jason Marshall were both in the last World Cup. You can’t beat experience and it will add a lot to the group.

“For all of the players selected, the World Cup represents rugby’s greatest stage and we have an opportunity to uphold Canada’s history dating back to 1987.”

Canada kicks off its campaign with a tough challenge against the Irish, and while hope remains, the side is long odds to progress to the quarter-finals for just the second time in history having also been grouped with France, Italy and Romania.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jebb Sinclair (flanker)

Playing in his second RWC, Sinclair has been a vital part of the Canucks side since debuting against Portugal in 2008.

His experience at both the international level – he’s earned 39 caps since – the Aviva Premiership and Currie Cup is invaluable to an inexperienced Canadian unit.

Although his side is given virtually no chance of progressing, look to Sinclair and his fellow more experienced campaigners to prove Canada is no joke at the international level.

SQUAD

Tyler Ardron (capt.), Ray Barkwill, Brett Beukeboom, Nick Blevins, Connor Braid, Hubert Buydens, Aaron Carpenter, Jamie Cudmore, Nanyak Dala, Matt Evans, Kyle Gilmour, Jeff Hassler, Ciaran Hearn, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones, Phil Mack, Jamie Mackenzie, Phil Mackenzie, Jason Marshall, Gordon McRorie, John Moonlight, Evan Olmstead, Benoit Piffero, Djustice Sears-Duru, Jebb Sinclair, Richard Thorpe, Andrew Tiedemann, Conor Trainor, Liam Underwood, DTH van der Merwe, Doug Wooldridge.

FIXTURES

Saturday, September 19: vs Ireland; Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; 2.30pm

Saturday, September 26: vs Italy; Elland Road, Leeds; 2.30pm

Thursday, October 1: vs France; Stadiummk, Milton Keynes; 8pm

Tuesday, October 6: vs Romania; Leicester City Stadium, Leicester; 4.45pm