Meehan Names Match 23 to Face Spain: Three New Caps in Roster
Rowers and Bayside Announce Entry into 2026-27 BC Premier – Eleven Team League in 2026-27
Vegas Golden Knights Owner Bill Foley Buys Exeter Chiefs Rugby Franchise
Premier Women’s Rugby – March 2026 – Round 13
Update on the English Premier Women’s Rugby (PWR) Round 13 – Thirteen Canadians in Action
There were thirteen Canadians in the rosters this week with Olivia Apps and Sabrin Poulin scoring tries. There are three weeks left before the league takes a break in April for international rugby, Six Nations and Pacific Four. The top four teams make post season play and at the current time that would be Saracens, Gloucester, Exeter and Harlequins.
Vancouver 7s Wrap-Up with Photos
Photos from Vancouver 7s by Robb McCaghren, @the610photographer
There were a number of talented photographers at the Vancouver 7s. For example, Gone West Photography, posted some photos on Instagram. In this article we feature the work of Robb McCaghren, the610photographer, he is actually 6’10” tall and hence his nickname. He’s a new convert to rugby coming from football and now he’s hooked on rugby, I think he shot his first game in November and his comments were, “I’m really starting to like Rugby, a lot, and would love to keep shooting this sport. I dunno how these folks do it. Even in my prime, I don’t think I could have survived a sport like Rugby. I have an absolute ton of respect for these athletes. Y’all are absolutely amazing.”
Vancouver 7s 2026 – Men
Canada Win Challenge Series with 3-1 Record: Next Montevideo on March 21-22
After winning both matches on Day 1 against Chile and Japan, Canada went 1-1 on Day 2, losing to Chile and defeating Japan. That gives them an overall 3-1 record and the Challenge tournament title. It’s scant consolation if they can’t convert that momentum to a better performance in the two remaining SVNS 2 tournaments in Montevideo (March 21-22) and Sao Paulo (March 28-29) to claim a top 4 position. It will be interesting to see who head coach Christiaan Esterhuizen chooses for the tour. Lockie Kratz, the team leader, looks a lock and Morgan di Nardo is starting to reclaim his form. Jack Shaw showed well in the last match, Ian Jones showed some pace and tracked back well on defence. Young players like Adam Doane and Andrew Cooper would be an asset. Veterans Elias Hancock and Johnny Franklin might be on the list. Will Thomas Isherwood and Josiah Morra be healthy for the trip? That announcement might show up next week from Rugby Canada.
Vancouver 7s 2026 – Women
Women Rebound on Day 2 to Go 2-0 and Claim 5th Place
It was a better performance on Day 2 with Savannah Bauder putting in a strong performance. Carissa Norsten was helped off the field in the second match which will be a concern with the New York tournament next weekend. Some of the returning veterans were starting to find their form, Charity Williams showed some speed on the outside but defensive work remains a concern and will have to be addressed by the coaches. It was confirmed on social media that Piper Logan tore her MCL so will be out for a while and with Krissy Scurfield recuperating and Carissa Norsten a question mark the squad depth will be tested in NY. Canada (60) remain 5th in the series behind France (66) and ahead of Japan (54).
CanWest 7s 2026 – UBC
UVic Upset UBC 26-5 to Win Final Tournament but UBC Win CanWest 7s Series Title
The previous story heading was “Can UBC Be Defeated” and the answer was yes as UVic proved today but UBC win the CanWest 7s title by virtue of their first two tournament wins. UVic claim 2nd place in the series and TWU 3rd. The final session at UBC including the UVic v UBC match can be viewed on the Canada West TV stream. Commentary today was provided by Shalaya Valenzuela and Skye Farish.
Vancouver Sevens Invitational (VSI) 2026
Fraser Valley East Claims U16 Girls Title; BC Gold U18 Women Win Gold
It was the women carrying the banner for BC at the VSI with Fraser Valley East winning Gold in U16 and Fraser Valley West winning Bronze, well done to the Valley. In U18 women it was BC Gold making it to the final and defeating Ontario in the final at BC Place. The men fell short with the BC U18 men getting blanked in the medals, Vancouver Island Tide claimed Silver in U16, kudos to them. It’s good to recognize the successful coaches as well, BC Gold U18 women’s coach is Darcy Patterson assisted by Shalaya Valenzuela. The Fraser Valley East U16 girls’ coaches are Slade Rozell, Josh Olafsen, Lindsay Nicholson, all the players were from Abbotsford. The Fraser Valley West U16 girls’ coaches were Katherine Siemens and Kelly Shields, the players were from Langley and United. The U16 boys’ Tide coach was Eric Slade, the players were from CW and JBAA. The tournament scores are on the BCRU events page.
High School Rugby Updates – March 2026
Phil Smith Launches 1st In Touch Newsletter of the 2026 High School Rugby Season
A sure sign of spring is Phil Smith’s In Touch rugby newsletter covering boys rugby on Vancouver Island. We encourage other educators/coaches to do similar for their regions, whether they be focused on boys or girls rugby or both. You can send your newsletter to editor@bcrugbynews.com
A few thoughts of my own reading Phil’s newsletter. Phil notes Quw’utsun (Cowichan) “has opted for sevens despite having a splendid 2025 XV season”. Indeed in 2025 they defeated Shawnigan Lake School in the regular season and were top ranked on Phil’s list at one point, apparently they’re going full out in XVs in the Juniors this year and doing 7s for the Seniors for one year. Another point, a reader sent me in the score for the Robert Bateman vs Shawnigan preseason match, won by Robert Bateman 22-17. Robert Bateman are touring to NZ and Australia this year, leaving next week. Also don’t count out Shawnigan, they lost to Quw’utsun last year in the regular season but ended up in the final, only losing to St. George’s. Looking forward to the upcoming high school rugby season.
SPONSORS
