Canada Coach Stephen Meehan Given Contract Extension to End of 2028
Rugby Canada announced that Stephen Meehan will be given an extension on his contract until the end of 2028. It’s strange timing that has some rugby pundits questioning what’s happening behind the scenes. The official reason suggested in the Rugby Canada release is that he’ll oversee the men’s 7s journey to the 2028 LA Olympics. As the Rugby Canada release states, “subject to qualification”. The Olympics are in July 2028. Even though Canada men’s 7s program failed to qualify for the SVNS 1 series, they have a decent chance of making the Olympics since USA as host get an automatic spot and are taken out of the regional qualifying process.
Meehan has a record of 1-8 so far with the men’s XVs program, the one win was the big one against USA, largely due to the appearance of Tyler Ardron and Evan Olmstead, the two European pros. The losses were against Belgium, Spain, Japan, Fiji, Tonga, Romania, Georgia and Portugal. This summer Canada will get a shot at Spain, Portugal and Zimbabwe.
Meehan will no doubt be evaluated after the RWC on his results, and the state of the 7s program going into the Olympics. One disappointing aspect of Meehan’s coaching tenure to date has been the use of Australian assistant coaches instead of Canadian coaches, Phil Mack was shuffled off without announcement, Anthony Mathison was brought in. Hopefully leading up to the RWC he’ll start utilizing more Canadian coaching talent, people who will stay and develop the game in Canada when he moves on.
from Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada is pleased to announce that Stephen Meehan will continue to lead Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team through the end of 2028, seeing the squad through the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 and the organization through the 2028 LA Olympics, subject to qualification.
“I’m very happy to continue with the team. You know, having had 12 months with Rugby Canada now, I’ve got a better understanding of the interconnected rugby landscape across the country,” said Stephen Meehan, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team. “Now that we’ve qualified [for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027], it will be great to take the team through the entirety of that tour. There are some big moments around the corner for us, and we’ve got some great challenges in there as well, but all in all, it’s an exciting time to be here.”
Prior to his tenure at Rugby Canada, Meehan enjoyed 17-years of elite global coaching experience that ranged from a five-season tenure as Head Coach of Bath where he captured a European Challenge Cup title, the French Top 14 with Stade Français and Toulon and Australia’s Super Rugby circuits.
“We are grateful that Stephen has chosen to continue to develop this program and share his expertise across our Men’s Senior National Team, Sevens and Age-Grade programs—exemplifying our One Squad philosophy,” said Nathan Bombrys, CEO of Rugby Canada. “With the Nations Cup kicking-off in Edmonton in July, we have the perfect opportunity on home soil for Stephen, his staff and our National Team players to build toward the Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.”
A key part of Meehan’s portfolio was the qualification for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 which the team achieved last June after previously missing the 2023 tournament for the first time since 1987. After leading the team to the semi-finals in The Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2025, the squad would officially qualify after Japan defeated the USA to slot them in the 21st spot of the newly extended 24-team Men’s Rugby World Cup format.
While Meehan’s main duties primarily lie with Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team, the head coach has been busy embracing the rugby community by attending a Rugby Ontario’s Men’s Senior Interbranch match, coaching at a U20s camp, supporting at the April 17 session at the Regional Training Centre Ottawa, presented by Raymond James Ltd. and stepping in as an assistant coach for Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team during Vancouver SVNS 2026.
“Rugby Canada has quality players in our senior teams who have the skill set and desire to compete in both of our Sevens and XVs programs,” said Shawn Bullock, High Performance Director of Rugby Canada. “Therefore, strong collaboration between coaches and their respective staff’s, similar to what we’ve seen implemented in our senior women’s programs, will be paramount for on-field success in the upcoming Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 and our efforts to qualify Canada Men’s Sevens Team for the LA 2028 Olympics.”
Canadian rugby fans’ next chance to see Head Coach Meehan at the helm will be on home soil in one month’s time for the World Rugby Nations Cup in Edmonton.