Four members of the UVic Vikes men's rugby team have been selected to represent Canada in a pivotal November test series against Japan and Russia.

After impressive campaigns in the inaugural Americas Rugby Championship this past fall, #Pat Riordan#, #Nathan Hirayama# and #Sean Duke# have been chosen for the 26-man roster.

Canadian sevens star and recent Vikes acquisition #Phil Mack# has been in top form during his rookie season at UVic and will be looking to assert himself as the starting Canadian scrum half.

No other university program in Canada has produced more national rugby players than the University of Victoria.

In 2009 alone, four Vikes represented Canada at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, five were selected for the Junior World Championship in Japan and five competed in Canada's 2011 World Cup qualification campaign.

“It's great for the university program because having national players here makes everyone work harder,” Vikes and former Canadian Sevens head coach #Doug Tate# said after the roster announcement. “The younger guys learn a lot just by practicing with them. They take your team to another level.”

Vikes' veteran and Canadian hooker Pat Riordan earned his 24th cap this summer and will captain the national team during the fall tour.

The roster is a blend of domestically based players, many of which play their club rugby in B.C. combined with professionals currently playing in Europe.

Canada will compete against Japan in Sendai on Nov. 15 before playing in Tokyo on Nov. 22. The team will then return for a first ever test against Russia in Vancouver on Nov. 28.

Vikes representing Canada in 2009:

Rugby World Cup Sevens (Dubai)
Adam Kleeberger
Neil Meechan
Gordie Sawers
Jordan Kozina

2009 Junior World Championship (Japan)
#Justin Chelak#
#Toni Wodzicki#
#Brett Beukeboom#
#Jamal Allen#
Evan Mallory

2011 World Cup qualification campaign
#Pat Riordan# (C)
#Andrew Tiedemann#
#Sean Duke#
#David Spicer#
Adam Kleeberger