Category Archives: National Men’s XVs

Canada U20 Updates – May 2025

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Canada U20 Hold On Against Late Island Surge to Win 26-22

The Canada U20 team won a close 26-22 contest over the Island XV. The U20 went ahead early after a blocked clearing kick from inside the Island 22, notch that one up to good defensive line speed and perhaps some shoddy clearance work from the Island XV. The Island responded with two tries, both unconverted, to go ahead 10-5. The grass was wet from day long rain and handling errors were mounting up, leading to scores. The U20 responded with two tries of their own, converted, 19-10. A great solo effort by inside centre Josh McIndoe extended the U20 lead to 26-10. The Island scored the last two tries to close the gap to 26-22.

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Pacific Nations Cup 2025 – May Updates

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Rugby Canada Announce Calgary as Host of Canada v USA Match: World Rugby Releases Full Pacific Nations Cup Schedule

Rugby Canada have completed the announcement of their summer/fall schedule for the men’s XVs team with the Canada v USA fixture in Calgary on August 22nd. That will give them 5 games between July and September, possibly 6 if they finish in the top 4 at the Pacific Nations. World Rugby have also announced the full schedule for the Pacific Nations. Both reports are listed below.

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Canada Men’s U20 – April 2025

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Canada Name Men’s U20 Team to Travel to Fiji in May/June for Matches vs Samoa, Fiji, Tonga

Coach Christiaan Esterhuizen has selected 32 players to make the trip to Fiji in May/June to play Samoa, Fiji and Tonga. There is no JWRT U20 championship this year, and there’s been no mention from World Rugby on what future plans are for U20 programs outside of the Tier 1 nations who are holding their Junior World U20 Championships in June/July in Italy.

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Editorial March 2025

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What Does Canada’s Men’s XVs Team Look Like for 2025

If you’re not a regular starter in MLR, can you be considered an automatic for Canada selection? That’s a valid question as Canada looks towards its World Cup qualifier this year. If you’re good enough to get a regular starting slot in MLR, it’s likely you’ll be in contention for national team match selection but that introduces a problem as Canada doesn’t have MLR starters in several key position, the halfbacks, an openside flanker, the centres.

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Canada Men’s XVs – March Updates

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Rugby Canada Announce Edmonton Clarke Stadium as Venue for Hosting Belgium and Spain in July

The Canada men’s XVs team will host Belgium and Spain at Edmonton’s Clarke Stadium in July. It will be Canada vs Belgium on Saturday July 12th and then Canada v Spain on Friday July 18th.

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Pacific Pride – Spring 2025

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A Look at the Pacific Pride Squad for Spring 2025: 6 Players Leaving, 3 to MLR; 9 Additions Including 3 from U18 2024 Camps

We compared our Pacific Pride list from the start of the fall season 2024, 6 have moved on (3 to MLR). There are 9 new players but include 3 returning players, 2 started late in the fall and 1 is returning from previous seasons. There are 3 players from the U18 camps held in 2024, 2 from Ontario universities and 1 from the Welsh Premier.

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Rugby Canada Updates – December 2024

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Steve Meehan Named as Canadian Men’s XVs Head Coach

I have to admit, most of the Canadian rugby community feels sucker punched by Stephen Aboud right now. Instead of hiring Jamie Cudmore, who was the Canadian choice, he went for Australian Steve Meehan. I’ve had a few messages from Canadian rugby fans but as I’ve explained when you hire an American CEO and an Irish High Performance Director, you can’t expect a Canadian solution. Thank the current and previous Rugby Canada Board for that.

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Rugby Canada Updates – December 2024

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Rugby Canada Announce Kingsley Jones Stepping Down as Head Coach of Men’s XVs Team: Succession Plan to be Announced in “Due Course”

It’s the day Canadian rugby supporters have been waiting for. When Canada didn’t make the 2023 Rugby World Cup for the first time in its history, the rugby community expected the coaching situation would be resolved quickly, instead Rugby Canada extended Kingsley Jones’ contract. The USA in contrast immediately removed their coach when they failed to make the World Cup and results have improved dramatically under domestic coach and former Eagle, Scott Lawrence, who understood the infrastructure, the culture and the steps needed to rebuild the USA men’s XVs program.

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Canada v Romania – November 2024

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Canada Fall to Romania 35-27: End 2024 With 5 Straight Losses

Canada put in a better effort this week against Romania, but still fell 35-27. It’s the 5th straight loss for Canada in 2024 and renews calls for a coaching change. Canada are projected to fall to 23rd in the world rankings when the ranking are released on Monday.

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