Category Archives: National Men’s XVs

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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Canada v Chile November 2024

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Chile Romp to Victory Over Canada 44-14 in First November Test:  Match Video

Chile scored in the first 30 seconds of the match, that pretty well summed up the match. Chile came out with intensity, they kicked long, chased well, swarmed the receiver whose support was slow arriving, the ball popped out of the ruck, several offloads later and they were over, 5-0. The difference in the level of intensity between the two teams was noticeable in that first minute. It looked like Ethan Fryer may have been the one injured in that ruck as he staggered off under assistance. #20 Sion Parry came into the match.

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World Rugby Classic 2024

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Canadian Classics Through to Finals at World Rugby Classic After Defeating Defending Champions Argentina

Last year the Canadian Classics team came 4th at the World Rugby Classic in Bermuda. They lost to Ireland in their first match, thumped USA in their second match and lost to South Africa in the Plate final. Argentina would claim 1st and France 2nd. The 2023 match reports are here.

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Canada Men’s XVs – November 2024 Tour

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Canada Name 32 Player Roster for November Matches Against Chile and Romania

Gone are the days of Canada getting November tour matches against Tier 1 countries, this November Canada #22 get matches with Chile #21 and Romania #20, the two teams ahead of them in the rankings. USA #19 get matches with Portugal #15, Tonga #16, Spain #18. There’s no explanation from Rugby Canada or World Rugby on why Canada only get two tour matches. Chile #21 play Canada #22, Netherlands #27 and a Scotland A side. Uruguay #17 play Spain #18, Japan #14, Romania #20.

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