Canada coach Ric Suggitt released Stan McKeen and Nathan Hirayama before announcing his 30-strong squad for next month's World Cup.

Suggitt named 17 forwards and 13 backs for the tournament in France, and earlier decided with McKeen that the flanker had not sufficiently recovered from a lower body problem.

For teenage fly-half Hirayama, Canada's captain at the U19 World Championship in April, it was a matter of the tournament coming a little too soon.

"All decisions revolved around selection are difficult, but this one was particularly tough because of the hard work and effort these young men have put in," admitted Suggitt.

"Nathan is an extremely thoughtful and intelligent young man who will become a very fine rugby player in the future.

"It was a tough decision, but he's had a very good year and has a bright future ahead of him if anyone gets a bump or a bang, he might still end up at the World Cup, but at this time he is just the unfortunate man out."

Centre Nick Trenkel is the youngest member of the squad at 20 while veteran prop Rod Snow is the oldest at 37.

Snow and second row Mike James will be appearing in their fourth World Cups, while captain and scrum-half Morgan Williams (pictured) and prop Jon Thiel will be playing in their third.

For Thiel it is a remarkable turn around of fortune as only a year ago he underwent open heart surgery.

Prop Kevin Tkachuk, second row Jamie Cudmore, flanker Colin Yukes, fly-half Ryan Smith and scrum-half Ed Fairhurst will be playing in their second World Cups.

"We're happy with this World Cup squad. It is one that can over-perform, which is what you have to be able to do at world championships, added Suggitt.

"Everyone in this squad is working very hard and is putting their bodies and brains together to become better. I think they will be a joy for Canadians to watch when we get to the World Cup.

"These guys are putting everything they have into representing their country and they aren't going to lie down for anyone."

Canada have been drawn in Pool B at the World Cup along with Australia, Wales, Fiji and Japan.

They open their campaign against Wales in Nantes on September 9.

Squad

Forwards: Scott Franklin, Dan Pletch, Mike Pletch, Jon Thiel, Kevin Tkachuk, Aaron Carpenter, Pat Riordan, Mike Burak, Jamie Cudmore, Mike James, Luke Tait, Colin Yukes, David Biddle, Adam Kleeberger, Rod Snow, Sean-Michael Stephen, Mike Webb.

Backs: Ed Fairhurst, Matt Weingart, Morgan Williams (capt), Ander Monro, Ryan Smith, Craig Culpan, Derek Daypuck, David Spicer, Nick Trenkel, Justin Mensah-Coker, James Pritchard, Mike Pyke, DTH van der Merwe.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport