A Review of 2025 from July to September: Canadian Women Win Silver at World Cup, Canadian Men Qualify for RWC 2027, BC Women Win Gold at Summer Games & U19 Nationals, BC Premier Starts 2025-26 Season
The July to September window had a lot of highlights, the Canadian women won Silver at the World Cup after going 3-0 in the pool rounds, defeating Australia in the quarter-finals and NZ in the semi-finals. The Canadian men qualified for the 2027 World Cup with their win over USA. The return of Tyler Ardron and Evan Olmstead for that one match was crucial. The BC Premier 2025-26 season kicked off in September. BC women won Gold at the Summer Games and at the U19 Nationals.
JULY
The Canadian women were in their preparation phase for the World Cup and they were in South Africa for 2 matches, they won the first one 50-20.
The Dog River Howlers took a Canadian U18 team to Germany and won all three matches, including a 24-15 win over the German U18 team.
The PRCs took place in July with Vancouver dominating in the boys competition and the Island in the girls competition.
Canada men fell to Belgium in Stephen Meehan’s coaching debut.
Canada men lost their second summer test, 24-23 to Spain.
The BC U19 women won Gold at the national championships, the men finished 2nd behind Ontario.
AUGUST
After returning from South Africa the women continued their World Cup preparation with a match against USA. They came away with a strong 42-10 win.
The Canadian women’s last warmup match before the World Cup was a dominant 47-26 win over Ireland.
Vernon Jackals win the Saratoga Cup representing the summer BC Interior league, Yeti Rugby win the women’s 7s.
The Canada Games took place in Newfoundland in the summer, the BC women won Gold, the men Silver.
Probably the biggest story for the men’s program this year. Tyler Ardron scores 4 tries as Canada upsets USA 34-20 in the World Cup qualifying Pacific Nations Cup. That one win sees Canada in the 2027 World Cup after missing out on 2023.
August was a busy month with the Canadian women opening their World Cup campaign with a 65-7 win over Fiji.
The Canadian women would claim their second win of the World Cup, 42-0 over Wales.
SEPTEMBER
World Rugby announced the SVNS schedule and structure for 2025-26.
The Pacific Pride roster and schedule was announced.
Canada win their final pool match at the World Cup, 40-19 over Scotland.
The BC Rugby season kicks off with the Coastal Cup and University Qualifiers.
Canada crushes Australia 46-5 at the quarter-finals of the women’s World Cup.
It’s Week 1 of the BC Premier and the season is officially started.
A huge win for the Canadian women, 34-19 over NZ in the World Cup semi-finals.
The Canada men closed out their Pacific Nations Cup with a 35-24 loss to Tonga. They had Tyler Ardron and Evan Olmstead for the one game against the USA, that’s the one game they won, and that’s the one that mattered.
The Kamloops 7s has grown into one of the largest 7s tournaments in Canada, it took place again in September.
Canada lost the World Cup final 33-13 to England to claim Silver. Sophie de Goede was named World Rugby player of the year.
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too bad no mention of the Saratoga cup. a lot of hard work put it by the BCRU and players, coaches, and supporters who came to help and watch. A small fish compared to BC and national events, but sad to see such a great event (and lead up to) not represented.
Fair enough, I’ve added it to the August highlights…