Canada Announce 33 Players for November Tour – Coaching Changes, New Players, 13 BC Premier Players on Tour
Coach Stephen Meehan has named 33 players for the November tour to Europe to play Romania, Georgia and Portugal. A few early observations, Phil Mack isn’t mentioned in the coaching staff which seems to confirm rumours there was some falling out with Stephen Meehan and he’s not part of the coaching staff anymore. We’ve reached out to several sources for confirmation. The coaches are listed as forwards coach Anthony Mathison, the fellow Australian who seems to be Meehan’s right hand man, Graeme Moffat skills coach who is the head coach at the University of Lethbridge, and Callum Gibbins who is now listed as defence coach. Gibbins currently seems to be the head coach of the Conestoga Condors, a college in Kitchener, Ontario. He was previously a high level player from NZ, most recently playing with Old Glory in the MLR.
There are a few names in the roster not familiar to Canadian rugby followers, Ryan Cozens from Sidmouth, England and Cardiff Met, Barnaby Waddell from Exeter, England and Bridgend Ravens, James Naylor from Cottingham, England and Rotherham Titans. A few names who have been in the rugby wilderness for a while and are returning to the national team, Rob Povey and Matt Tierney. The big name European professionals Tyler Ardron and Evan Olmstead are missing, as well as Andrew Quattrin.
UVic’s hopes at the nationals took a big hit as Cooper Coats, Morgan di Nardo and Josh McIndoe were all selected, they represented most of UVic’s first string backline. UBC lost Takoda McMullin to the tour but his brother Talon isn’t mentioned, Talon missed UBC’s last match so there might be an injury concern there. Other BC Premier teams who will be missing players to the tour, Burnaby Bryce Warden; Westshore Kyle Tremblay; JBAA Callum Botchar, Austin Creighton, Sam Miller, Kyle Steeves; Capilano Izzak Kelly; Ravens Lucas Rumball, CW Jack Shaw. There are no current Pacific Pride, Rugby Canada Academy, players selected.
Players missing from that key win over USA are Cali Martinez, Tyler Ardron, Evan Olmstead, Ben Lesage, Isaac Olson, Jesse Mackail, Stephen Webb.
Information on broadcasts is TBA.
from Rugby Canada
Head Coach Stephen Meehan has named a 33-player roster for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team ahead of the program’s upcoming autumn tests in Europe. Canada will face Romania, Georgia, and Portugal, with each fixture set to be played in the respective host nation.
Canada opens the tour against Romania on November 8 in the second edition of the Cernavodă Cup, before meeting Georgia on November 15 and Portugal on November 22 in the team’s final international test matches of 2025. These fixtures bring Canada’s total to nine test matches this year, offering valuable experience as the program continues building toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Earlier this year Canada hosted Belgium and Spain in Edmonton before competing in the Pacific Nations Cup, where they faced the United States, Japan, Fiji, and Tonga. Canada finished fourth in the tournament, securing qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in the process.
“We’ve got three matches ahead, and with a demanding travel schedule, it will be interesting to see how our team adapts both on and off the field.” Said Head Coach Stephen Meehan, “We faced Romania twice in 2024, so we’re looking forward to that challenge again and to compete for the Cernavodă Cup — a great opportunity to focus our preparation and play for a meaningful trophy. Georgia are a very strong side, which will test us in different ways, while Portugal brings a unique style of play that will require us to adjust our approach.”
“Our goal is to continue developing the ability to adapt our game week to week, responding to the different styles and challenges that each opponent presents.”
The squad will be captained by Lucas Rumball, with 21 players returning from Canada’s Pacific Nations Cup roster, including Jack Shaw and Austin Creighton, who both earned their first caps against Tonga.
Seven players will be aiming to make their international debuts on tour: Ryan Cozens, Barnaby Waddell, Jeffrey Young, Morgan Di Nardo, Josh McIndoe, Bryce Worden, and James Naylor. Cozens, Young, Di Nardo, and McIndoe have all previously represented Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team.
The squad also features 11 Pacific Pride Development Academy graduates, including Kyle Tremblay and Emerson Prior, who debuted earlier this year against Belgium and Spain, and Sam Miller, who returns to the national team after a season with Southern Districts Rugby Club in Australia.
Matt Tierney and Robbie Povey also return to the lineup. Tierney last appeared for Canada in 2021 and Povey in 2023. Tierney having played for Canada in the 2019 Rugby World Cup has since competed professionally in France’s Top 14 with Castres Olympique, while Povey continues with the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby (MLR).
“There are some ongoing challenges around player availability and the uncertainty created by changes within Major League Rugby.” Said Meehan, “as a result, a number of players have taken time to reflect on their careers, which has opened opportunities for emerging players to step up, showcase their abilities, and push for selection ahead of 2027. This tour is an exciting moment for both experienced and aspiring players to come together and continue building our program.”
In looking ahead to 2026, Meehan added, “the proposed 2026 Nations Championship represents an exciting opportunity for us to align more closely with our international peers and continue climbing the world rankings. Facing at least two of these three teams again in 2026 would provide valuable experience as we build toward the Rugby World Cup.”
MATCH SCHEDULE
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Romania – The Cernavodă Cup
Saturday, November 8 2025
7:00am PT / 10:00am ET / 5:00pm Local
Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Buy tickets here.
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Georgia
Saturday, November 15, 2025
5:00am PT / 8:00am ET / 4:00pm Local
Ajarabet Arena, Batumi
Buy tickets here.
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Portugal
Saturday, November 22 2025
8:00am PT / 11:00am ET / 4:00pm Local
Estádio Cidade de Coimbra
Buy tickets here.
Broadcast information will be available shortly.
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S AUTUMN TEST SQUAD
FORWARDS
Callum Botchar (Vancouver, BC) – James Bay AA / NOLA Gold
Ryan Cozens (Sidmouth, ENG) – Sidmouth RFC / Cardiff Metropolitan University
Austin Creighton (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / James Bay AA
Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds
Cole Keith (Sussex, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks
Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Capilano RFC
Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves
Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Southern Districts
Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Chicago Hounds
Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC
Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC / Utah Warriors
Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds
Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg Wombats / New England Free Jacks
Matt Tierney (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders
Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – New England Free Jacks
Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Bridgend Ravens
Bryce Worden (Sussex, NB) – Burnaby Lake RFC
Jeffrey Young (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Bedwas RFC
BACKS
Nic Benn (Caves Beach, AUS) – Utah Warriors
Morgan Di Nardo (Toronto, ON) – Toronto City Rugby / University of Victoria
Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds
Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves
Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution / Chicago Hounds
Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys / Utah Warriors
Josh McIndoe (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Greerton Marist Rugby Club
Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia
Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – New England Free Jacks / Toronto Saracens
James Naylor (Cottingham, UK) – Rotherham Titans
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC
Robbie Povey (Calgary, AB) – Rotherham Titans / Utah Warriors
Jack Shaw (Oakville, ON) – RFC LA / Castaway Wanderers
Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Pacific Pride
Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC / NOLA Gold
NON-TRAVELLING RESERVES
Karl Hunger (Beaconsfield, QC) – Beaconsfield RFC / Pacific Pride
Alexandre Janlin (Toulouse, FR) – L’Isle Jourdain
Shane O’Leary (Ballina, IRE) – Ballina Killaloe RFC / Miami Sharks
Jesse Kilgour (Barrie, ON) – Barrie RFC / Pacific Pride
STAFF
Stephen Meehan – Head Coach
Anthony Mathison – Forwards Coach
Graeme Moffat – Skills Coach
Callum Gibbins – Defence Coach
Richard Andrews – Head Analyst
Luke Robinson – Analyst Intern
James Rees – Head S&C Coach
John Cunningham – Assistant S&C Coach
Lisa Ruggles – Lead Therapist
Ben Motum – Assistant Therapist
Jordan Monks – Assistant Therapist
Shauna Ericksen – Assistant Therapist
Dr. Longland – CMO / Team Doctor
Dr. Hendrik Boshoff – Team Doctor
Neil MacDougall – Manager
Ryan Sinclair – Assistant Tour Manager
Maxine O’Leary – Media Manager