The James Bay Athletic Association is back with a different look.

Famous for building their game around the thunderous forward pack, the Bays arenB次元官网网址檛 the same without forwards Dave Ramsay and Eric Forsythe this season.

But theyB次元官网网址檙e out to prove theyB次元官网网址檙e just as good.

With new blood added to the BaysB次元官网网址� always-deep program, (10-1) is back in first place atop the Canadian Direct Insurance Premier Rugby League.

At some point, careers and families trump trophies, said coach Pete Rushton, whose Bays are under new leadership without captain Ramsay.

Since 2003, Ramsay has typified the BaysB次元官网网址� traditional B次元官网网址榣unchboxB次元官网网址� attitude that began with Gary Johnston and Hans de Goede in the 1970s. Like the clubs in those days, Ramsay helped the club to a run of three straight Rounsefell Cup, B.C. championships. But with a small child at home and a career in the works, Ramsay has stepped aside. Instead, he and Forsythe, whoB次元官网网址檚 working in Fort McMurray, are two of the most powerful Canadian rugby forwards not playing this year.

A lack of stability in the forward pack hindered the Bays in the final stretch last season, when the club was ousted by the Vikes in the Rounsefell quarterfinal, Rushton said.

B次元官网网址淟ast year, we were undefeated until late in the season. We had issues in the front row, injuries with the forward (pack), and we werenB次元官网网址檛 able to fill those spots with consistency. It hurt us by impacting components of the lineouts and the stability of the scrums.B次元官网网址�

True to form, the Bays have been solid again this season, playing behind a starting front row of Scott Warren, J.T. Rowbotham and Russ Ward. But Warren and Ward are hurt, and despite this weekendB次元官网网址檚 bye, Rushton was doubtful that either will be 100 per cent for the BaysB次元官网网址� road match against Abbotsford (1-9) on April 14.

But with three games remaining, the coach isnB次元官网网址檛 worried about another lapse, and is confident with veterans Francis Yoon and Danny Hrycyk moving from the reserve squad into the premier clubB次元官网网址檚 front row.

B次元官网网址淔ranny and Hrycyk have plenty of experience. ThatB次元官网网址檚 where depth is so important in rugby.B次元官网网址�

Depth, and recruiting.

First year Bays Zac Coughlan (Nfld.), 22, and Canadian-raised ex-pat Adam Drury (U.S.A.), 32, have been a huge factor in the back row this season. And with late-comer Tyler Ardon, 20, a Canadian sevens player, the Bays just got another boost up front.

All three are powerful, and bring a high level of physicality to the game, Rushton said.

B次元官网网址淐oughlan is awesome, a very talented young player with room for growth. Drury is meat and potatoes, and Ardron, as a second rower, you know he has to be good to be (a forward) playing sevens.B次元官网网址�

Also new this season is Jeff Hassler, 21, from Calgary. Hassler will help alleviate Hugo BelangerB次元官网网址檚 absence in the backs.

Belanger had assumed teamB次元官网网址檚 captaincy this year, but injured his knee against Burnaby last week and will likely be out the rest of the season.

The leadership crown will fall to longtime scrum half Spencer Dalziel, Rushton said.

Langford hosts Ontario Blues vs. Canadian Maple Leafs

BaysB次元官网网址� Tyler Ardron, Zac Coughlan and John Moonlight are possible selections this Saturday for the Ontario Blues in its Canadian Rugby Championship warm-up against the Canadian Maple Leafs.

The match is another coup for the IslandB次元官网网址檚 rugby community, as it will be played on the IRB approved turf at Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford, home of the the Canadian Rugby Centre of Excellence.

Other possibles for Ontario are former James Bay player Taylor Paris and his national sevens teammate Mike Scholz of the Castaway Wanderers.

Kickoff is April 7, at 7 p.m.