It’s difficult to avoid considering the 15-year-old Woodbridge resident is on the roster for four rugby teams.

In addition to the under-16 boys squad at Country Day School where he is in Grade 10, Selvaggi will also suit up with the Aurora Barbarians this season. That is, when he isn’t busy training with the Ontario provincial team for which he has been a two-time member, and competing to reclaim his outside centre spot on Canada’s under-17 men’s national team.

It adds up to a pretty demanding schedule and plenty of opportunity to get beat up.

“I guess my body is getting used to it,” said Selvaggi, whose six-foot, one-inch frame, 205-pound frame is capable of delivering its own bruising to opponents. “But an ice bath after the game usually makes it feel a lot better. It’s painful, but it works.”

Selvaggi recently helped Canada’s under-17 team to a sweep of matches against  Spain, Romania and France at the Millfield Rugby Festival in Somerset, England.

It was Canada’s best-ever showing at the event.

He wants to be part of more international competition in the future.

“It’s a huge difference in the intensity of the game and the speed of the game,” said Selvaggi, who lined up at outside centre for his international debut. “It’s an incredible feeling, actually.”

“It’s my spot to lose,” he said.

Dave Downer, who coaches the CDS Cyclones and Barbs’ U-16 teams, marvels at Selvaggi’s dedication to the sport he took up as a Grade 7 student.

“There’s that certain group of kids who revel in the game and Eric is one of those guys,” said Downer. “The nice thing for Eric is that he has put himself into good shape.

He’s in the best shape now that he has ever been in. At the level he is playing, you have to be fit to absorb bumps and bruises.

“He has been a phenomenon all the way up the ranks at our school. He’s played above his (age) level for two years.”

Despite an interest in other sports, including hockey and lacrosse, rugby is winning out as his first priority.

“One of the coaches asked me to come out for the team,” he recalled of his introduction to rugby at the private school located near King City. “I didn’t know much about it but I seemed to be fairly decent at the sport and it took off from there.

“I like everything about rugby, really. The speed and you can be as aggressive as you want to be.”
Team Canada will select its roster again in late summer for another international tour.

“It’s my spot to lose.”

Athlete of the Week is a regular feature highlighting local athletes and their accomplishments. If you know of a nominee, contact The Era-Banner at sports@erabanner.com, fax 905-853-5379 or call 905-853-8888.