Canada v USA – September 2026

Meehan Names 23 for USA Match: Cooper Coats Returns to Flyhalf

This is the match that really counts in this Pacific Nations Cup, Canada v USA. Under Stephen Meehan Canada have a record of 2 wins, 1 draw, and 11 losses. One of those wins was the important World Cup qualifier win over USA in Calgary, August 22, 2025. Since then Canada have defeated Zimbabwe, drawn with Spain and lost to Spain, Fiji twice, Japan twice, Belgium, Romania, Georgia, Portugal twice, Tonga. Over that same time period USA have 6 wins and 7 losses. USA are ranked 14th, Canada are ranked 24th.

In August 2025 when Canada defeated USA Tyler Ardron scored four tries, Tyler Ardron isn’t in Japan with Canada, neither are Evan Olmstead, Andrew Quattrin, Cali Martinez or Cole Keith. This will be a good evaluation of the Canada program depth going into the World Cup year of 2027.

There are only a few changes from the Fiji match. Foster Dewitt switches with Dewald Kotze and is the starting hooker, the props and second row remain the same. Ethan Fryer gets the start at openside flanker ahead of Sion Parry, Flesch and Rumball retain their spots. Jesse Kilgour gets the start at scrum half ahead of Jason Higgins and Stephen Webb, Cooper Coats gets the start at flyhalf, 11 to 15 remain unchanged. On the bench, a 5/3 split, Cody Nhanala and Liam James return to the match 23.

One player on the long list who hasn’t played this tour is Callum Botchar, that’s a surprise unless it’s an injury issue. Canada have struggled in the set pieces and a robust 2nd row like Botchar would seem like a positive addition.  The match kicks off at 4pm local time which is Friday, midnight on the west coast.

from Rugby Canada

Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team Head Coach Stephen Meehan has named his match day roster for Canada’s upcoming Pacific Nations Cup third place play-off against the USA.

Canada and the USA will kick off on Saturday September 19 at 4:00 p.m. JST / 12:00 a.m. PT / 3:00 a.m. ET at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo.

Both Canada vs USA and Japan vs Fiji matches will be broadcast live on TSN4.

Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team Head Coach Stephen Meehan has made a few changes to the squad that featured last week against Fiji in Osaka. Canada managed to put 29 points on the board against the 9th ranked Flying Fijians, the most they have scored against a Tier 1 Nation since they put up the same score vs Fiji in Vancouver in 1999.

“We were happy with some of the rugby we played against Fiji, good continuity, close passing and some really good passages of play, said Head Coach Stephen Meehan. We want to become a team that keeps the opposition guessing.

The USA are a disciplined side and have a style they’ve been very reliant on. I completely understand the rivalry and, frankly, I really enjoy it. It was quite an emotional night in Calgary after our win last year, seeing people coming together after the game, singing the national anthem and celebrating the occasion. It was a lovely moment.

We’re trying to develop something here, and the longer we spend together, the greater the understanding the players will have of how we want to play and of one another. Their skills and understanding of the game have developed over the last 15 months, and collectively and individually they’ve been getting better every week. Hopefully, that trend continues.”

Foster DeWitt will start at hooker. Jesse Kilgour returns to the starting XV at scrum-half, with Cooper Coats starting at fly-half.

Ethan Fryer will make his first start since returning from a skull fracture suffered in 2024 vs Chile. Cody Nhanala joins the bench. Liam James comes in at #23.

Siôn Parry and Isaac Olson are unavailable due to injury.

Cooper Coats will earn his 25th cap for Canada, with Captain Lucas Rumball set to earn his 70th cap this weekend, he will be tied as the fourth most capped player in Canadian Men’s Rugby history.

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

1. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Benfica SL (9 caps)
2. Foster DeWitt (Courtenay, BC) – Westshore RFC / Peñarol Rugby (7 caps)
3. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg Wombats / Hunter Wildfires (10 caps)
4. Daragh Doyle (Québec City, QC) – Clontarf FC (4 caps)
5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / SL Benfica (18 caps)
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (25 caps)
7. Ethan Fryer (Issaquah, WA) – Eastside Lions RFC / PeñarolRugby (6 caps)
8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds (69 caps)
9. Jesse Kilgour (Oro-Medonte, ON) – Barrie RC / Aurora Barbarians (2 caps)
10. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC / UVIC Vikes (24 caps)
11. Jamie Armstrong (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish (2 caps)
12. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks (41 caps)
13. Jacob Ince (Oakville, ON) – Guelph Gryphons / Taranaki Rugby (4 caps)
14. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC (9 caps)
15. Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside RFC (9 caps)

FINISHERS

16. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Rotherham Titans (17 caps)
17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC (9 caps)
18. Bryce Worden (Sussex, NB) – Burnaby Lake RFC / West Harbour Rugby Club (2 caps)
19. Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Camborne RFC (4 caps)
20. Cody Nhanala (Ottawa, Ontario) – University of British Columbia (3 caps)
21. Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto City RC / University of British Columbia (4 caps)
22. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys (19 caps)
23. Liam James (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens (3 caps)

from USA Rugby

The USA Men’s Eagles will travel to Tokyo where they turn their attention to North American rivals, Canada this Saturday at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium. USA fans can watch the action live on Paramount+

After their opening match against tournament host Japan in Osaka last week, Coach Lawrence’s squad have shifted focus forward to this week’s challenge.

Looking ahead to Canada, Captain Jason Damm commented;

“One of the biggest things we can control is our mindset as we go into this game. When we reflect on that Canada game last year, we let them get over us a little too soon. So for me, it’s just coming out, setting the tone, and throwing our bodies around early, letting them know we’re here… and making sure that we’re sticking to our plan and controlling what we can control.”

Cassh Maluia earns his first international cap in the USA Jersey starting at inside center with Dominic Besag moving to his outside. Luke Carty starts at fly-half, while Julian Roberts steps in to start on the wing.

Lance Williams enters the starting XV at openside flanker, while Fakaosifolau Pifeleti moves off the bench to start at loosehead prop. Mason Pedersen enters the match day squad as replacement prop.

The North American USA v Canada showdown in Japan will kick off at 3:00 am ET to close out the Eagles 2026 Pacific Nations Cup campaign. USA fans can catch the action live on Paramount+.