Canada v Portugal – July 2026
Meehan Names Match 23 for Portugal Clash: Ardron and Rumball Missing – Olmstead Gets Start
Stephen Meehan has named his squad for the Portugal match and the most notable change is the absence of Lucas Rumball and Tyler Ardron who are missing “due to prior commitments”, whatever that means. Meehan has only won one match since his term began and that game had Tyler Ardron and Evan Olmstead starting, his 1-1-8 record also has one draw now and that was with Tyler Ardron starting last week. He’s never won without Ardron in the roster. The good news is Evan Olmstead is back and starting at openside flanker, Olmstead is rumoured to be joining Nissa next season where Jamie Cudmore is coach.
Summer 7s Tournaments 2026
Sevens Tournaments This Summer in BC Starting in July
The following are a list of summer 7s tournaments in BC that we’re aware of. SFU’s Highland 7s kicks off July 18th, Bayside 7s is August 8th and Westshore 7s is August 22nd. Usually there’s a 7s tournament at Burnaby on the weekend in between, August 15th, but we haven’t seen that posted yet. If we missed one mention it in the comments section.
Summer Camps 2026
Summer Rugby Camps in BC from June to September
We’ve put together a list of summer rugby camps, we’ll keep updating the list throughout the summer. If you know of a summer rugby camp in BC, tag us on social media with the poster, Instagram is the best choice, @bcrugbynews – or add a link and description in the comment section.
Seattle Rugby Challenges UBCOB Ravens to Battle of the Border on September 12th : $5000 Prize Money
Meehan Names Match 23 to Face Spain: Three New Caps in Roster
Rowers and Bayside Announce Entry into 2026-27 BC Premier – Eleven Team League in 2026-27
Battle of the Border 2026
Seattle Rugby Challenges UBCOB Ravens to Battle of the Border on September 12th : $5000 Prize Money
This is an interesting way to start off the season for both Seattle and the UBCOB Ravens. Seattle, who used to play in the BC Premier, made it to the USA national club finals in the spring, just losing to New York in the final match. The Ravens are defending BC Premier champions. Seattle laid down the challenge and there’s even a $5,000 prize award for the winner, we assume that’s in USD. The match takes place in the US but just across the border at the Chuckanut Bay Rugby Club. It’s only 10 km across the border as the crow flies, or should I say as the raven flies. It’s about a 30 minute drive, depending on border conditions, from the nearest Canadian club which would by Bayside.
Pacific Nations Cup 2026
Canada Men’s XVs Add Two September Tests in Japan Against Fiji and Either USA or Japan
The Pacific Nations Cup will run as an abbreviated tournament in 2026. Only four teams will participate Canada, USA, Fiji, Japan. In 2025 it was part of the World Cup qualifying and included Tonga and Samoa as well. Canada will play Fiji on September 12th then either Japan or USA on September 19th. Based on previous results it will probably be a Canada v USA match on the 19th. The sponsor is a Japanese beer company so it makes sense they’re hosting the tournament and after Fiji won the last two titles, it will likely be a Fiji v Japan final that the hosts are anticipating with the potential of a Japanese upset victory over Fiji. Currently the world rankings of the four countries are Fiji 9th, Japan 12th, USA 14th, Canada 23rd.
Junior World U20 Championship – 2026
Semi-Finals Set at JWC U20 – South Africa, NZ, England, France Compete for Title
Though most of the rugby world awaits the 1 to 4 semi-finals between South Africa, NZ, England, France on Monday, July 13th. Many in North America will be keeping an eye on the 13th to 16th semi-finals on Sunday, July 12th. In this group are teams that Canada compete against – USA, Uruguay, Spain, Japan. If there is promotion/relegation next year with the U20 Challenger tournament then one of these four teams will drop down. Canada is in the U20 Challenger tournament in October along with Belgium, Hong King China, Brazil, Namibia, Portugal, Romania and Chile. World Rugby hasn’t clarified the promotion/relegation picture yet between the Championship and Challenger series.
Provincial Regional Championships (PRCs) 2026
Vancouver Island Tide Win U19 Men’s and Women’s Titles, U17 Girls and Overall Title; Valley Claim U17 Boys and U15 Girls Titles; Vancouver Win U15 Boys Title
The Island Tide won both the men’s and women’s U19 titles at the Provincial Regional Championships. The women defeated Fraser Valley 23-17, the match was 18-17 in the Tide’s favour at the half and they added one more try in the second half. It was another Island vs Valley final in the men’s competition. The Island led 14-7 at the half and ran out 33-12 winners in the end. The Island claimed the overall PRC title with three 1st place finishes and three second place finishes. Valley were 2nd overall, Vancouver 3rd, Interior 4th.
Canada v Spain – July 2026
Canada Draws with Spain 42-42: Last Minute Heroics to Claim 3 Points
It was a match of ups and downs. The highlight for Canada was the come from behind equalizer with time expired. That showed some character to put together multiple phases with no allowance for error. Noah Flesch ended up being the hero as he picked the ball up from the base of the ruck and decided to go himself, getting one of the few line breaks for Canada in the match. From there it went quickly to the outside where Tyler Ardron made the key pass to set Kyle Tremblay across the line. Takoda McMullin showed nerves of steel to take the conversion as Cooper Coats had been injured on the play. Noah may have been the last minute hero but it was his brother Mason who was selected player of the match with two tries.
BC Premier 2026-27
Rowers and Bayside Announce Entry into 2026-27 BC Premier – Eleven Team League in 2026-27
The Vancouver Rowing Club and the Bayside Sharks have announced their acceptance into the BC Premier league for the 2026-27 season. It looks to be an 11 team league next year, Langley, long reported to be eyeing a jump up to the Premier have apparently withdrawn their application for promotion. With the Pacific Pride not entering a team next year (the status of the program is unknown) the league will consist of the nine teams from last season plus the two new teams. Both clubs, Bayside and Rowers, have a history in the BC Premier and are returning after a rebuilding phase in Division 1.
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