Romania's Paula Kinikinilau is tackled by Canada's Ciaran Hearn during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Canada and Romania at the Leicester City Stadium, Leicester, England, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015.Rui Vieira/The Associated Press
Ciaran Hearn hasn't really stopped moved since last fall's Rugby World Cup.
A fine showing for Canada at the tournament earned the veteran back from Conception Bay South, N.L., a pro contract and then an extension with England's London Irish. More recently he was summoned back to Victoria to join the Canadian sevens team for its unsuccessful bid in Monaco to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
Hearn's rugby road brings him to Toronto where he will reach the 50-cap milestone Sunday as Canada, ranked 17th in the world, hosts No. 13 Italy at BMO Field. Slated to start at outside centre, the 30-year-old Hearn will become the 15th player to make 50 appearances for Canada.
"I relish every time I put on that jersey. It's an honour," said Hearn. "I don't really count the number of caps. I just count (on), hopefully, getting that next one and then hopefully getting a next one (after that). And every time I put on that shirt, try to put a performance on that I'm proud of."
The six-foot-two 220-pound Hearn recalls his debut, in November 2008, against Ireland as being surreal, playing against the likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara and Paul O'Connell.
"But soon as that whistle goes and you get that first contact, that kind of goes out the window and you just get on with what you're there for. You're there for a job."
Coming in for Mozac Samson, Hearn is the lone change to coach Mark Anscombe's starting 15 from the team that thumped Russia 46-21 last Saturday. Canada opened the June international series with a 26-22 loss to Japan in Vancouver.
Italy opened its tour with a 30-24 loss to Argentina before edging the U.S. 24-20.
Hearn is just one of four players in Canada's lineup Sunday who started in the 23-18 loss to the Italians at last fall's World Cup. Canada led 10-0 in the early going and dominated the offensive statistics with 59 per cent of the possession.
The others returnees are captain Jamie Cudmore, Ray Barkwill and Matt Evans. Italy features five players who started that day in Leeds, England.
London Irish, also home to Canadian international Jebb Sinclair, was relegated after finishing bottom of the top English league this season but Hearn still relished the chance to play weekly against top opposition.
Back with Canada, he is getting his first taste of playing under Anscombe, who succeeded fellow New Zealander Kieran Crowley.
"He's a good guy, pretty straightforward," said Hearn. "I think that's what you like, kind of like an old-school Canadian guy. He fits right in, so it's good to have him."
Another shot at Italy was a welcome tonic after failing to qualify for Rio.
"Some of us have put six, seven years into that sevens program and to come up short was bitterly disappointing," he said. "A lot of the guys are going to take some time off and reassess what to do."
He knows firsthand how the game of sevens can change on a dime.
"You only have 14 minutes to perform and if you take your mind off that one minute, it could be the end of your season or the end of your four years you've been working towards."