Meehan Names 32 Player Squad for September Tests in Japan
Stephen Meehan has named his 32 players list for three matches in Japan starting September 5th. It’s a different looking team compared to the summer squad, it is missing a number of first string players. Not on the September roster are Tyler Ardron, Evan Olmstead, Andrew Quattrin, mentioned in the RC release as not available “due to club commitments” but also missing are Cali Martinez, Cole Keith, Piers Von Dadelszen, Peter Nelson all starters. There are six starters missing from the team that narrowly defeated Zimbabwe in July. It’s going to be a tall order going from Zimbabwe to playing Japan, Fiji and possibly USA minus six starters.
Back in the squad are Callum Botchar, Ethan Fryer, Emerson Prior, Austin Creighton, Ben Lesage, Jesse Kilgour, Isaac Olson. Looking for their first XVs caps will be Bryce Worden, Jamie Armstrong, Ryan Cozens, Sam Turner, Jack Gore. Jack Gore was leading the Ontario U19 team to glory this summer and now it looks as if he could be backing up Cooper Coats at fly half against Japan and Fiji. With Ben Lesage back in the squad there appears to be a large contingent of centres on the team with Isaac Olson one of the few wingers. Based on summer selections and who is missing a possible starting XV could be Miller, Kotze, Steeves, Kelly, Botchar, Flesch, Fryer, Rumball, Higgins, Coats, Olson, Lesage, Jones, Tremblay, McMullin.
Also of interest is the new skills coach, Aaron Frisby, replacing Graeme Moffat in that role. Frisby is the head coach of the men’s Westshore Premier team, originally from Queenstown, NZ he played BC Premier with Velox, usually at #10. He was also one of the coaches for the Canadian Touch Rugby team at their World Cup. Also former head coach of the BC women’s team.
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team Head Coach Stephen Meehan has named a 32-player squad for the second block of the season as Canada prepares to face Japan in the JRFU’s 100th anniversary match as well as compete in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026.
The Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 is the 17th edition of the tournament and will feature a revised format with Canada, defending champions Fiji and USA joining hosts Japan over two match days in Osaka and Tokyo. This evolution reflects the broader transformation of the international calendar with competitions aligned with the inaugural Nations Championship and World Rugby Nations Cup, providing cross-over opportunities for participating unions.
Canada will assemble in Tokyo Bay for a week-long training camp before opening their September test window against Japan on September 5.
“We’ve had a good amount of players travelling to Japan join us in Langford as part of our soft centralisation program, and that extra time together has been hugely beneficial,” said Head Coach Stephen Meehan. “It’s allowed us to work on key skills, set-piece detail and conditioning, while building stronger connections as a group. The response from the players has been fantastic, and being alongside the women’s camp has added great energy to the environment.
There are still opportunities within the squad, and the door isn’t closed. We want players who understand how we want to play, show intent and take responsibility for their development. There are plenty of opportunities to ask questions, learn and engage with the coaches, and I’d be disappointed if someone missed selection because they didn’t take them.
We want proactive, committed players who are willing to compete and take their opportunities. This is about proving what we’re capable of and showing that we can become a much more threatening team.”
SQUAD UPDATES
Five uncapped players have been named to Canada’s squad for the September test window.
Jamie Armstrong, Bryce Worden, Sam Turner, Ryan Cozens and Jack Gore.
Gore was named the 2025 Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship Rookie of the Year after a standout first season with Wilfrid Laurier University.
Evan Olmstead, Tyler Ardron, and Andrew Quattrin are unavailable for selection due to club commitments.
THE MATCH-UPS
Canada will open its September test window against Japan on September 5 in Niigata City, as the Japanese Rugby Football Union celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The two nations share a long and well-respected rugby history, with Japan hosting Canada for the country’s first-ever test match in Osaka on January 31, 1932.
One week later, Canada will face Fiji in the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup in Osaka. The sides last met in the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup Semi-Final, where Fiji defeated Canada 63-10.
The Pacific Nations Cup will conclude on September 19 in Tokyo, with Canada set to face either Japan or the USA in the Final or Third Place Play-Off.
2026 SEPTEMBER TOUR SCHEDULE
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Japan
Saturday September 5, 2026
2:50pm Local / 10:50pm PT (September 4) / 1:50am ET
Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata City
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Fiji – Pacific Nations Cup
Saturday September 12, 2026
4:00pm Local / 12:00am PT (September 11) / 3:00am ET
Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka
Third Place Play-Off – Pacific Nations Cup
Saturday September 19, 2026
4:00pm Local / 12:00am PT (September 18) / 3:00am ET
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Final – Pacific Nations Cup
Saturday September 19, 2026
7:05pm Local / 3:05am PT / 6:05am ET
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Tickets for all matches are available here.
Further information on TSN broadcasting will be made available shortly.
The Pacific Nations Cup Media Zone can be found here.
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM SEPTEMBER TOUR SQUAD
FORWARDS
Callum Botchar (Vancouver, BC) – James Bay AA (10 caps)
Austin Creighton (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Cobras Brasil (3 caps)
*Ryan Cozens (Sidmouth, ENG) – Sidmouth RFC / Reading Rams (0 caps)
Foster Dewitt (Courtenay, BC) – Westshore RFC / Peñarol Rugby (7 caps)
Daragh Doyle (Québec City, QC) – Clontarf FC (2 caps)
Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (23 caps)
Ethan Fryer (Issaquah, WA) – Eastside Lions RFC / Peñarol Rugby (5 caps)
Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / SL Benfica (16 caps)
Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Rotherham Titans (15 caps)
Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Benfica SL (7 caps)
Cody Nhanala (Ottawa, Ontario) – Ottawa Ospreys / University of British Columbia (2 caps)
Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC (19 caps)
Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC (8 caps)
Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds (67 caps)
Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg Wombats / Hunter Wildfires (8 caps)
*Sam Turner (Vancouver, BC) – Meralomas RFC / Clifton RFC (0 caps)
Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Camborne RFC (2 caps)
*Bryce Worden (Sussex, NB) – Burnaby Lake RFC / West Harbour Rugby Club (0 caps)
BACKS
*Jamie Armstrong (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish (0 caps)
Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC / UVIC Vikes (23 caps)
*Jack Gore (Mississauga, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Wilfrid Laurier University (0 caps)
Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution (30 caps)
Jacob Ince (Oakville, ON) – Guelph Gryphons / Taranaki Rugby (2 caps)
Liam James (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens (2 caps)
Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys (17 caps)
Jesse Kilgour (Oro-Medonte, ON) – Barrie RC / Aurora Barbarians (1 cap)
Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks (39 caps)
Josh McIndoe (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / UVIC Vikes (2 caps)
Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside RFC (7 caps)
Isaac Olson (Vernon, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (7 caps)
Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC (7 caps)
Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto City RC / University of British Columbia (3 caps)
*Denotes potential debut
NON-TRAVELLING RESERVES
Evan Roy (Ottawa, ON) – University of Ottawa / Mount Maunganui Rugby Club (0 caps)
Neil Trainor (Stratford, ON) – James Bay AA (0 caps)
Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Peñarol Rugby (14 caps)
Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC (14 caps)
Henry Kirwan (Brighton, ENG) – Brighton Blues / Reading Rams (0 caps)
Lockie Kratz (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (2 caps)
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC (38 caps)
Oliver Wiseman (Chiswick, UK) – Chinnor RFC (0 caps)
STAFF
Stephen Meehan – Head Coach
Anthony Mathison – Forwards Coach
Callum Gibbins – Defence Coach
Aaron Frisby – Skills Coach
Dr. Ryan Hamilton – Mental Performance Coach
Richard Andrews – HP Program Analyst
John Cunningham – Team S&C Coach
Scott Shannon – Team Therapist
Ally Govier – Assistant Therapist
Jordan Monks – Assistant Therapist
Dr. Billy Longland – CMO / Team Doctor
Dr. Hendrik Boshoff – Team Doctor
Maxine O’Leary – Media Manager
Neil MacDougall – Manager