BERKELEY – Expected to field a completely different Starting XV than the group that kicked off the series for California last month, the Golden Bears visit the University of British Columbia Sunday, March 5, for a 1 p.m. kickoff to conclude the 2017 "World Cup" at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
 
The Bears (11-1, 3-0 PAC) are enthusiastic for the challenge of competing in Vancouver against a powerful UBC (10-2, 3-0 Premier), which carries an 11-point advantage into the second contest following its 28-17 decision in Berkeley. The annual home-and-away tradition dates back to 1921, when the Vancouver World Newspaper first awarded a trophy to the winner.
 
The last time the Bears travelled to Canada carrying a similar deficit was 2015, when Cal arrived in Vancouver with a 13-point disadvantage but left with a well-earned split in the series after beating UBC, 23-21, at Thunderbird Stadium.
 
The Cal starters in that March 23, 2015, contest at British Columbia included 11 players who finished their collegiate careers with All-America honors in either 15s or 7s. While the projected starters for the Blue and Gold in the Canada half of this year's "World Cup" series may include future All-Americans among them, none have etched their names there yet, and the majority would be be making their "World Cup" debuts.
 
The Cal front row could be comprised of sophomore Jack Iscaro at loosehead prop, followed by seniors Wade Ogburn at hooker and Tomas Zerbino at tighthead. It would be Iscaro's first "Cup" selection, while Ogburn made his debut in February as a reserve. Zerbino has three previous "World Cup" starts, but this would be his first front-row matchup against the T-Birds.
 
Senior lock Olivier Damas could be making his first "World Cup" start and second trip to British Columbia, having come on as a reserve in 2016. Next to him may be senior Anthony Kosinski, who would be making his first start against UBC. The Bears' back row may see two underclassmen getting their first taste of "World Cup" history in freshman George Salter across from junior Felix Le Merle at the flankers, and sophomore Nathan Becker at No. 8.
 
Senior wingers Miles Honens and Evan Coleman are the only projected backline starters who have previously earned that distinction against British Columbia. Sophomore scrumhalf Fawzi Kawash scored a try as a second-half replacement against the 'Birds in February, and fullback Karl Thornton has entered the past two matches against UBC as a replacement. The backs set to make their "World Cup" debuts as starters could also include senior Matt Ternan and freshman Christian Dyer in the midfield, as well as senior Jamie Howells, who would serve as the team's flyhalf and placekicker.
 
It's unclear who will be selected by the Thunderbirds to send against the Bears on Sunday, considering that UBC has a league match the previous day at Burnaby Lake.
 
Following Sunday's conclusion of the 2017 "World Cup" series, the Bears remain in road mode to prepare for their trip to Los Angeles on Saturday, March 11, when Cal takes on UCLA at 1 p.m. and USC at 2:30 in a PAC Rugby Conference doubleheader on the Bruins' North Athletic Field. The Blue and Gold then return home to honor the traditional match for the Scrum Axe on Wednesday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. under the lights on Witter Rugby Field. Then, on Saturday, March 25, Pac-12 Network broadcasts its second match of the spring from Strawberry Canyon, where the Bears will celebrate Homecoming when the Saint Mary's Gaels visit for a 5 p.m. kickoff.
 
The national postseason for 15s gets underway for the Bears in the Penn Mutual Varsity Cup Rugby Championship quarterfinals on April 15, when Cal follows its first-round bye with a visit to either Dartmouth or Clemson in the single-elimination tournament. If Cal advances, the Bears will host a national semifinal on Saturday, April 22, on Witter Rugby Field. The Varsity Cup national championship final is set for May 6 at a time and location to be announced, followed June 3-4 by the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s in Philadelphia.