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Canada skipper Morgan Williams
Home stadium: No specific home right now, but it will either be BMO Field in Toronto or the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium in Vancouver when (and if) it is completed.
Nickname: The Canucks
Number of rugby players in the country: 13,804
National rugby website address: www.rugbycanada.ca
Current national champions: 2006 - Newfoundland Rock
Strengths: The Canadians often pose a physical threat to opposing teams in open play, and any team failing to keep cool is likely to be bullied into submission.
Weaknesses: Considering the size of the team, the set-pieces are often bizarrely weak, and the backs are frequently found wanting for pace.
History in the tournament: 1987 - group stages, 1991 - quarter-final, 1995 - group stages, 1999 - group stages, 2003 - group stages
Prediction for this tournament: The potential is there for Canada to be a dark horse in their pool, with Wales the possible targets for an upset in the opening match in Nantes. But it is unlikely. Pool elimination.
Coach: Ric Suggitt was introduced to rugby while in high school, the sports-mad youngster was attracted to the physical contact and the free-flowing character of the game. When he eventually reached provincial level as a player, his career was stopped short by three shoulder operations. Ric was coaching the senior women's team, the men's sevens, and the Canada U23 women's team when the senior men's job opened up. He was appointed in February 2004.
Key player: Having played in the 1995, 1999 and the 2003 Rugby World Cups - Mike James certainly has the all right experience needed to guide his younger team-mates in France. The Canucks lock has 'been there done that' since making his international debut against the USA in 1994.
Standing at 196 cm tall and weighing in at 110 kg, James is an imposing figure and is well known for his expertise in the set pieces. He has played for the prestigious French Barbarians, and was featured in the 2005 team that included New Zealand greats Justin Marshall and Kees Meeuws. He played for French rugby giants Stade Français until June 2007, and was part of the Stade Français teams that won the French Premiership titles in 2003 and 2004.
He has earned 51 caps for Canada, nine of which have come from Rugby World Cup matches and has captained his country on several occasions.
Captain: Morgan Williams burst on the world rugby scene 23-years of age when he scored two tries for Canada against France during the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
In 2001, he played in the Heineken Cup final for successful French club Stade Français, but as a result of being ranked as their third choice scrum-half - Williams left the club and now plays for Albi. Also known as a respected sevens player, Williams has two World Cups under his belt (1999, 2003) and captained Canada for the first time in a 23-15 win over Argentina in July 2005. The former Saracens number nine has scored eight tries and one drop-goal for Canada in his 39 appearances playing for his country.
Rising star: Flank Adam Kleeberger had a remarkable year for Canada in 2005 after his debut against France. Having represented Canada at Sevens, Kleeberger was included for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March 2006. He toured with Canada 'A' to New Zealand in 2006 and scored his first try for Canada against Barbados in the RWC Qualifying match.
The 23-year old has the size, pace and the skills that will be a major threat to any opposition if he puts all these qualities to good use. With just eleven caps to his name, Kleeberger still has to make his mark on the game.
Kleeberger will pack down on the open-side as he tries to solidify a place in Canada's starting line-up in the absence of Stan McKeen, who had to leave the World Cup squad - the 2007 Rugby World Cup will be the perfect place to do just that.
Team Nemesis: South Africa and Canada will always be remembered for their famous 'Battle at Boet Erasmus Stadium' in the 1995 World Cup on the day the lights went out, both literally and figuratively. Three players were sent off the field that day in one of rugby's biggest mass brawls ever seen on television.
Likely headlines: 'Canucks canned in Nantes', 'Canucks can't against Wales', 'Canny Canucks can against Fiji'
Price of a pint: Varies between provinces, but on average about E3.00
Rugby player/sheep ratio: 1:89
