Rugby Canada Announce Test Match Against Belgium for Men; Italy and Wales for Women; Also Men to Face French Barbarians
This is what it looks like when you don’t qualify for the World Cup, one test match against 27th ranked Belgium this summer. The men also get a game against the French Barbarians. The Belgium match is hosted in Halifax and the French Barbarians match is in Ottawa.
The women’s XVs, in their World Cup year, are getting more attention with test matches against #6 Italy and #9 Wales in July. The Italy match is in Langford, the Wales match in Halifax. The women’s team also fly to NZ in June for a tournament against NZ, Australia and USA.
The Rugby Canada press release also reveals that Kingsley Jones is still the head coach of the men’s XVs, although the quote is from interim CEO Jamie Levchuk. It seems Rugby Canada are in a holding pattern for making decisions until the new CEO starts this summer.
from Rugby Canada
May 5, 2022 (Langford, BC) Today, Rugby Canada announced their summer schedule for Canadas Senior Womens and Mens 15s teams. Matches will be staged from coast to coast in Halifax, NS, Ottawa, ON and Langford, BC.
Kingsley Jones Mens 15s team will kick off their summer with a test match, presented by DHL, against Belgium on July 2 at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax. Canada will then host the star-studded French Barbarians on July 10 at TD Place in Ottawa. This will mark the first time a senior international tour match has been played at the venue.
Canadas Womens 15s summer fixtures start with a test match against Italy on July 24 at Starlight Stadium in Langford, the home of Rugby Canada. The Rugby World Cup-bound squad then move to the Wanderers Grounds for an August 27 test match against ninth-ranked Wales. These fixtures will be the first for the Womens 15s program since NFP Corp came on board as an official team partner with a multiyear partnership announced last week.
Canadas Senior Womens 15s team have not played at home in seven years and these matches provide Kevin Rouets side with crucial preparation ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2021, being played in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in New Zealand this October and November.
Were delighted to be hosting fixtures from coast to coast in Canada this summer, commented Jamie Levchuk, Interim CEO and Managing Director of Revenue and Fan Engagement, Rugby Canada.
After lacking fixtures for our Senior 15s teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its an exciting prospect for Canadian rugby fans across the country to watch our Senior Womens and Mens teams in action on home soil. Were looking forward to bringing events to the Ottawa and Halifax communities, as well as our home in Langford.
Tickets for the Mens 15s matches against Belgium and the French Barbarians will go on sale on May 17, while tickets for the Womens 15s matches against Italy and Wales will be available as of May 31. Broadcast and viewing details will be announced shortly.
The full schedule is below:
CANADAS SENIOR MENS 15s
July 2: Canada vs. Belgium Wanderers Grounds, Halifax, NS
July 10: Canada vs. French Barbarians TD Place, Ottawa, ON
CANADAS SENIOR WOMENS 15s
July 24: Canada vs. Italy Starlight Stadium, Langford, BC
August 27: Canada vs. Wales Wanderers Grounds, Halifax, NS