Two young guns, Colin Yukes and Jamie Cudmore, have been injected into Canada's squad for the World Cup qualifying match against the United States in Chicago on Saturday.

The two come into the squad replacing Jon Tait and Dan Baugh who are unavailable due to Tait's marriage at which his Cardiff teammate and good friend Baugh will play a part. Yukes performed exceptionally well as a substitute for Philip Murphy for most of the second-half of the June 15 Canada vs Scotland international.

He's no stranger to the international arena having earned his first cap against Uruguay in last summer's PARA Tournament and earning two more caps against Fiji and Japan in August's Pacific Rim competition.

Uncapped Cudmore (23) gained valuable international experience in April when he toured Germany with Young Canada and in May when he toured Australia with Canada. The Capilano club-man played a dominant role on both tours. He also saw action for Canada West against Scotland. Canada will miss the 6'9" Tait, noted for his impressive line-out work.

His work in that department played a vital part in Canada's first win 26-9 over the USA in Toronto last month. Tait counteracted the USA's 6'9" lock Luke Gross, but Gross broke a bone in his foot in that match and will be out for six weeks. Others in the Canada squad, such as second-rows Mike James and Al Charron, #8 Philip Murphy, Yukes and Cudmore are all capable of winning line-out ball.

Baugh too will be missed for his powerful defensive work and his scoring abilities. He scored his fifth try for his country in Canada's win over the USA, but Adam van Staveren can fill the void left by Baugh's absence. van Staveren played a significant role in the first game against the US when he came on as a substitute, securing ball in the tackle and helping set up Canada's second try scored by Mike James.

Canada enters the Chicago match with a 17 point cushion as a result of the Toronto win, however, coach David Clark and the Canada team will be preparing hard for the encounter fully aware of a determined US response. "The Eagles will surely be strong particularly at home," says Clark. "They know they need to win this Chicago encounter to stay in the World Cup qualifying hunt and we will need to make sure we don't allow them any leeway and gain the coveted first place America's Zone place."

Al Charron will again lead Canada in Chicago as the Canadian rugby icon continues to amaze as he earns his record setting 68th cap. Winston Stanley, Canada's top try scorer with 20, will become Canada's sixth most capped player when he wins his 50th cap in Chicago.

Canada: Al Charron (Capt), Fred Asselin, Ryan Banks, Jared Barker, John Cannon, Jamie Cudmore, Marco Di Girolamo, Pat Dunkley, Ed Fairhurst, Sean Fauth, Mike James, Mark Lawson, Philip Murphy, Bob Ross, Rod Snow, Winston Stanley, Jon Thiel, Kevin Tkachuk, Adam van Staveren, Morgan Williams, Nik Witkowski, Colin Yukes