[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/rugbycanada.jpg” caption=”The Rugby Canada logo”]Three current members of the McMaster men's rugby team were recently named to the National Team that will compete in the Super Powers Cup in Japan.

Dan Pletch will go on this tour hoping to add to the six caps he won in 2004. Pletch has bulked up to 260 lbs while also improving his speed and agility.

Aaron Carpenter goes to Japan with high hopes of pulling on the 'red shirt' for the first time. Carpenter's off-season training has improved his strength and conditioning significantly.

Matt King was a member of the McMaster men's rugby coaching staff this past fall. He has recently returned to high performance rugby as a key member of the Canadian 7's team. King will again join the international 15's scene. King is currently ranked as the #1 outside centre in Canada and takes World Cup experience with him to Japan.

The Canadian national team will compete against Japan, the United States and Romania.

The McMaster University men's rugby team has captured two OUA championships in the past three years. McMaster head coach Phil White has captured OUA Coach of the Year honours in two of the past three seasons. White is the chair of the Rugby Canada Coaching Committee. He recently returned from a three-week, cross-country tour, delivering a new generation of National Coaching Certification Programs (NCCP) McMaster assistant coach Stu Phillips is the chair of the Rugby Canada Sport Science Committee.