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.

Portugal are ranked 15th, they were 14th but dropped a spot after their 30-29 loss to USA last weekend. Portugal outscored USA four tries to three but had two red cards and a yellow card in the match and USA kicked three penalty goals. All four Portugal tries were by the winger Manuel Cardoso Pinto. Canada are ranked 23rd after their draw with Spain last weekend, they rose from 25th.

The absence of two top loose forwards has required some adjustment, Sion Parry is given the #8 role with Olmstead and Mason Flesch the flankers. The tight five remain the same from last weekend. Jason Higgins remains starting scrum half but Cooper Coats was injured on the last play of the match last weekend and isn’t in the roster, Peter Nelson moves from fullback to #10. Takoda McMullin comes off the bench to start at fullback. The wingers and centres remain the same from last week. On the bench Cody Nhanala comes in as the reserve loose forward, and Liam James as reserve back, the rest of the bench remains the same.

Players who haven’t been called into the roster yet include Bryce Worden, Foster Dewitt, Reegan O’Gorman in the forwards and Lockie Kratz, Henry Kirwan, Stephen Webb in the backs.

Last weekend against Spain there were a few problem areas, the defence in the midfield was a major problem as the Spanish centres made several key line breaks that ended up in tries. It will be interesting to see what changes Meehan has made in tactics as he hasn’t changed the lineup. Another issue was the reserve props gave up crucial scrum penalties late in the match that cost Canada, it’s another situation to monitor in this match. The box kick and chase wasn’t working for Canada without any specialist wingers, we’ll see if that improves in this match or if tactics change at all.

The game kicks off on Saturday at 6pm PT, broadcast on TSN for Canadian subscribers and on rugbypass.tv for those out of country.

from Rugby Canada

Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team opened the Nations Cup with a hard-fought draw against Spain last weekend in Edmonton, earning a two-place rise in the World Rugby Rankings. The Canadians will look to build on that momentum this Saturday when they take on Portugal at Clarke Stadium.

Canadian rugby fans can watch the match live on TSN2 and TSN+, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. MT / 9:00 p.m. ET.

Head Coach Stephen Meehan has named his squad for the second round of the Nations Cup, making four changes to the starting XV while adding uncapped back-row forward Cody Nhanala and uncapped back Liam James to the matchday 23.

“There were plenty of positives to take from the performance against Spain. Our set piece was strong, and the patience and composure we showed to score after long attacking phases reflected the progress this group is making,” said Head Coach Stephen Meehan. “To come back and earn a draw in the final minutes showed real resilience and belief, but we’re not satisfied with a draw, we want to be winning those games. With a number of players stepping into bigger roles, every match is helping build the experience and confidence we’ll need moving forward.”

Looking ahead to Portugal, Meehan expects a very different challenge.

“Portugal are a well-organised side with a clear identity. They’re strong in the kick chase, work hard to control field position, and are very effective through the middle of the field. We have a good understanding of how they want to play, so the challenge for us is to disrupt their game while continuing to execute ours. It’s a different test to Spain and another chance for this squad to show how quickly it can adapt to a new style of opposition.”

Lucas Rumball and Tyler Ardron will miss this weekend’s fixture due to prior commitments. Evan Olmstead moves into the starting lineup at openside flanker, Siôn Parry starts at No. 8, Peter Nelson slots into the flyhalf position and Takoda McMullin comes in at fullback.

Four players could make their Canadian debuts on Saturday. Daragh Doyle and Jacob Ince, who were included in last week’s matchday squad but did not come off the bench, will again have the opportunity to earn their first caps. They are joined by UBC Thunderbird and BC Bears vs Ontario Blues series stand-out Cody Nhanala, and fellow Thunderbird Liam James.

Canada last faced Portugal in 2025, falling 33-27 in a closely contested match. Portugal has since gone on to claim the 2026 Rugby Europe Championship title, setting the stage for another highly competitive encounter in Edmonton.

Tickets for the game between Canada and Portugal on Saturday July 11 are available for purchase here.

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S MATCH DAY ROSTER VS PORTUGAL

1. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Old Glory DC (13 caps)
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / US Carcassonne (30 caps)
3. Cole Keith (Sussex NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / Doncaster Knights (45 caps)
4. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – Meralomas / New England Free Jacks (14 caps)
5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / SL Benfica (14 caps)
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (21 caps)
7. Evan Olmstead (Vancouver, BC) – Lindfield Rugby Club / SU Agen (35 caps)
8. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC (17 caps)
9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution (28 caps)
10. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC (36 caps)
11. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Peñarol Rugby (12 caps)
12. Josh McIndoe (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / UVIC Vikes (1 cap)
13. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys (15 caps)
14. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC (5 caps)
15. Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside RFC (6 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves (14 caps)
17. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Benfica SL (5 caps)
18. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg Wombats / Hunter Wildfires (6 caps)
19. Daragh Doyle (Quebec City, QC) – Clontarf FC (0 caps)
20. Cody Nhanala (Ottawa, Ontario) – University of British Columbia (0 caps)
21. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC (13 caps)
22. Liam James (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens (0 caps)
23. Jacob Ince (Oakville, ON) – Guelph Gryphons / Taranaki Rugby (0 caps)