Meehan Announces 32 Player Squad for Summer Nations Cup Matches: Tyler Ardron, Evan Olmstead and Cooper Coats All Available
Stephen Meehan has named his 32 player squad for the summer Nations Cup matches against Spain, Portugal and Zimbabwe. The good news is the trio of Evan Olmstead, Tyler Ardron and Cooper Coats, who were instrumental in Canada’s only win under Meehan, are available. All three have been missing from the Canada roster recently. Also good news is the return of Andrew Quattrin. There are a number of players missing from Meehan’s recent selections, Callum Botchar, Emerson Prior, Austin Creighton, James Naylor who were part of the November 2025 rosters didn’t get a mention in the injured/unavailable list. Botchar had earned a starting role with the Seattle Seawolves and Prior was outstanding in the BC v Ontario series. Brock Webster who has been outstanding with MLR champions Chicago Hounds has been marked unavailable/injured.
There were eight players selected from the BC vs Ontario series in May. Series MVP Cody Nhanala, Reegan O’Gorman, Takoda McMullin, Liam James, Brock Gallagher, Henry Kirwan were selected from BC and Jacob Ince and Stephen Webb from Ontario. Talon McMullin, Don Carson, Jack Shaw, Matt Tierney were on the unavailable/injured list. Lockie Kratz and Wes Black who were outstanding in that series weren’t on the lists.
It’s interesting that the BC vs Ontario match wasn’t mentioned at all in the Rugby Canada media release, Cody Nhanala was selected for “helping the University of British Columbia capture silver at last year’s Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship”, no mention of his UBC performance in the BC Premier league or the BC v Ontario match. Bryce Worden was selected for his, “performances with West Harbour Rugby Club in Australia’s Shute Shield competition” not his years with Burnaby in the BC Premier league, he was playing Burnaby this year until the end of March. The messaging from Rugby Canada is pretty clear, the pathway includes university, Canada age-grade and off shore leagues at any level, but not domestic leagues. It’s a conversation the provinces need to have with Rugby Canada, what’s their role in elite development, did the BC v Ontario series even register with Rugby Canada?
What could a starting XV look like? Meehan selected Rob Povey as #10 for the autumn tests, all which Canada lost, will he go back to Cooper Coats now that he’s available? He had selected Peter Nelson as #10 when he first took over from Kingsley Jones. A loose forward trio of Ardron #8, Rumball #7, Flesch #6 looks possible. Evan Olmstead and Piers Von Dadelszen were second row in that win over USA. Hooker selection would be Dewald Kotze or Andrew Quattrin. The prop selection will be interesting Cali Martinez was the loosehead in the USA match and Cole Keith the tighthead will that be the standard? Sam Miller got two starts at loosehead last fall? Would Bryce Worden be in the mix for tighthead? The scrum half position seems to favour Brock Gallagher and Jason Higgins with Stephen Webb looking for a shot. In the centres Spencer Jones seems a fixture, playing as a sub in the USA match and starting all fall internationals in 2025. He paired up with Noah Flesch and Kyle Armstrong in the fall but Takoda McMullin is a strong contender. The back three likely will have Peter Nelson at fullback, it seems to be Meehan’s go to selection. None of the wingers used in the 2025 fall internationals are available Nic Benn, Josiah Morra, Morgan di Nardo, there aren’t any speciality wingers in the selection of 32. Liam James comes to mind, Takoda McMullin, Jacob Ince, Henry Kirwan, Josh McIndoe play a lot of centre but could be used on the wing, even Cooper Coats could be selected. Who can handle the high ball, has a decent kicking game and can turn on the jets when needed? There should be some interesting selections in the match 23.
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team Head Coach Stephen Meehan has named a 32-player squad for the opening block of the 2026 season as Canada prepares to compete in the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup this July.
The World Rugby Nations Cup is a new biennial competition featuring 12 nations already qualified for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. Designed to create a structured annual test calendar and increase opportunities for meaningful international competition, the tournament represents a significant step forward in the global game.
Canada will assemble in Calgary, Alberta for a week-long training camp before opening the tournament against Spain on July 4.
A BLEND OF EXPERIENCE, RETURNING LEADERSHIP AND EMERGING TALENT
“This squad brings together a strong blend of experienced players, individuals returning to the national program after some time away, and some new faces who have earned their opportunity,” said Head Coach Stephen Meehan. “It’s an exciting mix that reflects both the depth and potential within Canadian rugby.
As we begin the first block of matches, we recognize that player availability will vary throughout the year’s three competition windows. While that presents challenges, it also creates valuable opportunities for players to step forward and contribute, which will be important to our growth as a team.
We believe this group gives us an excellent platform for the three matches ahead. They are capable of playing an exciting brand of rugby, and we’re looking forward to bringing everyone together, building strong connections on and off the field, and preparing to perform at our best when match day arrives.”
VETERAN LEADERS RETURN
Several experienced internationals return to the Canadian squad following successful seasons in France’s Top 14 and Pro D2 competitions, including Tyler Ardron (Castres Olympique), Evan Olmstead (SU Agen), and Andrew Quattrin (Valence Romans Drôme).
Ardron returns to national team duty after last appearing for Canada in August 2025, where he scored four tries in a 34-20 victory over the United States.
Lucas Rumball returns to the national squad following an undefeated season as captain of the Chicago Hounds. The Scarborough, Ontario native capped off a remarkable campaign on Sunday night, helping the Hounds defeat the California Legion to secure the Major League Rugby Championship. Rumball was joined in lifting the title by teammates and fellow Canadian internationals Mason Flesch, Brock Webster, and Matthew Oworu.
HOME PROVINCE REPRESENTATION
The squad features strong western Canadian representation, including two Edmonton-based players from the Strathcona Druids, Brock Gallagher and Dewald Kotze.
Winnipeg native Kyle Steeves has also been selected and could have the opportunity to represent Canada in front of family, friends, and a home crowd when the tournament concludes at Princess Auto Stadium on July 18.
NEW CAPS ON THE HORIZON
Six uncapped players have been named to the squad.
Josh McIndoe and Liam James earn their senior national team call-ups after representing Canada’s U20 Men’s Rugby Team at the 2025 Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge. They are joined by Jacob Ince, who previously featured for Canada at both the U18 and U20 levels and lead the Guelph Gryphons to their first-ever national championship last November.
Henry Kirwan receives his senior call-up after representing Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team, including at the HSBC SVNS Vancouver tournament in March. Fellow sevens international Cody Nhanala, joins the squad after helping the University of British Columbia capture silver at last year’s Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship and earning Forward of the Year honours.
Rounding out the group is Bryce Worden, whose performances with West Harbour Rugby Club in Australia’s Shute Shield competition have earned him his selection.
THE MATCH-UPS
Canada’s Nations Cup campaign opens with a highly anticipated rematch against Spain on July 4 in Edmonton, Alberta. The two sides met a year ago in a dramatic contest that saw Spain claim a 24-23 victory with a last-minute penalty, denying Canada in heartbreaking fashion.
A week later, Canada will face Portugal on July 11 in another opportunity for redemption. The Portuguese edged Canada 33-27 during the 2025 Autumn Test Series in a tightly contested match.
The tournament concludes on July 18 in Winnipeg, where Canada will take on the Zimbabwe Sables. The fixture marks the first meeting between the two nations in a city that has not hosted a men’s international rugby match in thirty-three years.
2026 NATIONS CUP SCHEDULE
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Spain
Saturday July 4, 2026
7:00 pm MDT / 6:00pm PDT / 9:00pm ET
Clarke Stadium, Edmonton
Tonga vs Spain
Saturday July 11, 2026
3:45pm MDT / 2:45pm PDT / 5:45pm ET
Clarke Stadium, Edmonton
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Portugal
Saturday July 11, 2026
7:00pm MDT / 6:00pm PDT / 9:00pm ET
Clarke Stadium, Edmonton
Tonga vs Portugal
Saturday July 18, 2026
3:45pm CDT / 1:45pm PDT / 4:45pm ET
Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Zimbabwe
Saturday July 18, 2026
7:00 pm CDT / 5:00pm PDT / 8:00pm ET
Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg
Tickets for all Nations Cup matches are available here.
Further information on TSN broadcasting will be made available shortly.
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM NATIONS CUP SQUAD
FORWARDS
Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / US Carcassonne (29 caps)
Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Bridgend Ravens (2 caps)
*Bryce Worden (Sussex, NB) – Burnaby Lake RFC / West Harbour Rugby Club (0 caps)
Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Old Glory DC (12 caps)
*Cody Nhanala (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Ospreys / University of British Columbia (0 caps)
Cole Keith (Sussex NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / Doncaster Knights (44 caps)
Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves (13 caps)
Evan Olmstead (Vancouver, BC) – Lindfield Rugby Club / SU Agen (35 caps)
Foster Dewitt (Courtenay, BC) – Westshore RFC / Peñarol Rugby (6 caps)
Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / SL Benfica (13 caps)
Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg Wombats / Hunter Wildfires (5 caps)
Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds (65 caps)
Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (20 caps)
Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – Meralomas / New England Free Jacks (13 caps)
Reegan O’Gorman (Vancouver, BC) – Marist Albion / UBCOB Ravens (6 caps)
Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Benfica SL (4 caps)
Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC (16 caps)
Tyler Ardron (Lakefield, ON) – Peterborough Pagans / Castres Olympique (39 caps)
BACKS
Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC (12 caps)
Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC / UVIC Vikes (21 caps)
*Henry Kirwan (Brighton, ENG) – Brighton Blues / Cardiff Metropolitan University (0 caps)
*Jacob Ince (Oakville, ON) – Guelph Gryphons / Taranaki Rugby (0 caps)
Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution (27 caps)
*Josh McIndoe (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / UVIC Vikes (0 caps)
Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC (4 caps)
*Liam James (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens (0 caps)
Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Peñarol Rugby (11 caps)
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC (35 caps)
Robbie Povey (Calgary, AB) – Rotherham Titans (20 caps)
Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys (14 caps)
Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto City RC / University of British Columbia (2 caps)
Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside RFC (5 caps)
*Denotes potential debut
UNAVAILABLE / INJURED
Ben LeSage
Brenden Black
Brock Webster
Conor Young
Charles Trollip
David Richard
Don Carson
Ethan Fryer
Isaac Olson
Jack Carson
Jack Shaw
Jamie Armstrong
Jesse Kilgour
Josiah Morra
Kal Sager
Maddox McLean
Matt Beukeboom
Matt Tierney
Matthew Oworu
Morgan Di Nardo
Nic Benn
Talon McMullin
Thomas Isherwood
Tyler Matchem
STAFF
Stephen Meehan – Head Coach
Anthony Mathison – Forwards Coach
Graeme Moffat – Skills Coach
Callum Gibbins – Defence Coach
Ryan Hamilton – Mental Performance Coach
Richard Andrews – HP Program Analyst
John Cunningham – Lead Men’s S&C Coach
Kristie Mueller – Lead Men’s Therapist
Scott Shannon – Assistant Therapist
Erin Schatkowsky – Assistant Therapist
Dr. Longland – CMO / Team Doctor
Dr. Hendrik Boshoff – Team Doctor
Dr. Adam Pyle – Team Doctor
Maxine O’Leary – Media Manager
Neil MacDougall – Manager