Canada takes the first steps to the 2015 Rugby World Cup on Saturday, a qualifying journey that can be short or long. Standing in its way is a longtime rival in the form of the U.S. Eagles. The two-match total points series opens at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., before wrapping up Aug. 24 at Torontos BMO Field. Canada is ranked 15th in the world by the International Rugby Board, compared to No. 18 for the U.S. Four years ago, the Eagles defeated Canada 12-6 in South Carolina, only to lose 41-18 in the finale in Edmonton. The U.S. went on to beat Uruguay 27-22 and 27-6 to join the Canadian men at the World Cup in New Zealand. The Canada-U.S. winner will play in Pool D at the World Cup alongside No. 5 France, No. 8 Ireland, No. 12 Italy and Europe 2. The loser moves on to play Uruguay in another qualifying series, whose winner will play in Pool B with No. 2 Africa, No. 7 Samoa, No. 9 Scotland and Asia 1, likely No. 14 Japan. The team beaten by Uruguay has one last chance to book its ticket to the World Cup via a repechage tournament. No. 10 Argentina is an automatic qualifier from the Americas. Canada has most of its arsenal available for the U.S. series. Missing are prop Hubert Buydens, who is playing professionally in New Zealand, and injured back Trainor. But back in action are hard-nosed lock forward Jamie Cudmore and winger DTH van der Merwe. In-form flanker John Moonlight retains his place in a back row that also features captain Aaron Carpenter and Tyler Ardron, who has signed a pro deal with the Ospreys in Wales. Cudmore partners Jebb Sinclair of London Irish in the second row behind props Andrew Tiedemann and Jason Marshall and hooker Ryan Hamilton. Mobile scrum half Phil Mack earns the No. 9 shirt with Harry Jones winning the battle at fly half. Nick Blevins and Ciaran Hearn pair up in the centre with van der Merwe and Matt Evans on the wing. Dependable kicker James Pritchard starts at fullback. The Canadian starting 15 features eight who play professionally overseas. Saturdays game marks the 50th meeting between the North American rivals. Canada leads the series 36-12-1. The U.S. has lost its last five matches in 2013 including a 16-9 defeat at the hands of Canada in Edmonton in May. Under coach Kieran Crowley, Canada is coming off losses to Japan and Ireland but impressed earlier in the summer with wins over Fiji and Tonga. NOTES -- Jeff Hassler has been replaced by Sean Duke on the Canadian roster due to illness ... The Canadians are slated to leave Oakville, Ont., on Thursday for South Carolina ... Canada captain Aaron Carpenter threw out the opening pitch before the Blue Jays game Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox. --- Canada Andrew Tiedemann, Castaway Wanderers, St. Albert, Alta.; Ryan Hamilton, Capilano RFC, Vancouver; Jason Marshall, Atlantique Stade Rochelais (France), Vancouver; Jebb Sinclair, London Irish (England), Fredericton; Jamie Cudmore, ASM Clermont Auvergne (France), Squamish, B.C.; Tyler Ardron, Ospreys (Wales), Lakefield, Ont.; John Moonlight, James Bay AA, Pickering, Ont.; Aaron Carpenter (capt.), Cornish Pirates (England), Brantford, Ont.; Phil Mack, Uvic Vikes, Victoria; Harry Jones, Capilano RFC, West Vancouver; DTH van der Merwe, Glasgow Warriors (Scotland), Regina; Nick Blevins, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Ciaran Hearn, Castaway Wanderers, Conception Bay, N.L.; Matt Evans, Cornish Pirates (England), Maple Bay, B.C.; James Pritchard, Bedford Blues (England), Parkes, Australia. Reserves Ray Barkwill, Niagara Wasps RFC, Niagara Falls, Ont.; Tom Dolezel, London St. Georges, London, Ont.; Doug Wooldridge, Lindsay RFC, Lindsay, Ont.; Tyler Hotson, London Scottish (England), Vancouver; Nanyak Dala, Castaway Wanderers RFC, Saskatoon; Sean White, James Bay AA, Victoria; Nathan Hirayama, UVIC Vikes, Richmond, B.C.; Phil Mackenzie, Sale Sharks (England), Oakville, Ont. Jerry Remy Angels Jersey . INJURIES - Cardinals 1B Matt Adams has been put on the DL with calf tightness, resulting in some lineup shifting, with Allen Craig moving from right field to first base, so that the Cardinals could bring up top prospect Oscar Taveras, who was the No. Tyler Skaggs Jersey ." The tournament was set to be held Sept. 15-21 and would have been the first ATP tournament held in Israel since 1996. But amid Israels military campaign against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, ATP President Chris Kermode said "we do not feel we can proceed as planned given the situation in the region. https://www.cheapangels.com/1313j-don-su...sey-angels.html. The Toronto Argonauts signed the veteran linebacker to a three-year deal Tuesday, hours after the start of CFL free agency. Taylor Ward Jersey .com) - Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall left Saturdays game against the Senators in the second period with a left knee injury. Tim Salmon Angels Jersey . The ninth-seeded Safarova doused Swede Johanna Larsson 6-2, 6-3 on the green clay at Family Circle Tennis Center. The Czech player was a finalist here two years ago and captured back-to-back doubles titles in 2012 and last year.LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears terminated defensive lineman Israel Idonijes contract Thursday. The Bears also signed undrafted free-agent defensive end Jamil Merrell and linebacker Conor ONeill, and waived safety Sean Cattouse, quarterback Jerrod Johnson and tight end Fendi Onobun. Idonije, a product of the University of Manitoba, played for Detroit last season after nine years with the Bears.dddddddddddd In 149 career games, he has 273 tackles, 29 sacks, 40 tackles for losses, six forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, 36 special teams tackles and eight blocked kicks. Merrill played at Rutgers, and ONeill at Wisconsin. ' ' '