Episode 280: Dismay in Biscay

Join LeRouge Rugby Podcast as we look at all the news from the world of Canadian rugby.

Join Le Rouge Rugby as we discuss the recent results of the Canadian U20 team as well as looking at the Canadian women's squad as they prepare for the Rematch tour against England.

Canada U20 Men got their Challenger Cup campaign off to the best start possible, as they dominated Namibia in their opening fixture.A clear mismatch in skill, discipline, and conditioning, as Canada scored 15 tries, and 9 conversions, to win 95-6!In other news, Spencer Jones has signed for Nottingham in the English Champ, and ESPN extend their partnership with MLR.

Canada fell to France in their 3rd WXV Global Series match, as the hosts ran rampant in La Rochelle, with Canada dropping focus, and ending the European leg with 1-1-1. Back home, the new docuseries All Heart has a release date of October 9, as the series chronicles Canada's journey at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup. USports released their all-time records for women's rugby are out, and one current Women's national player stands out.The U20 Men fly to Chile for the World Rugby U20 Challenger Cup, and the Men's 7's team get their new head coach for the 2027 season.

It was a great day in Canadian rugby, as both the men's and women's XVs teams faced old rivals, each an ocean away.In Japan, Canada faced the USA for the Bronze Final of the 2026 Pacific Nations Cup. Despite keeping the USA in the game with kickable penalties, Canada were able to provide a sterling defence, and claim consecutive victories against the Eagles for the first time since 2013.In England, nearly a year on from the 20025 Women's Rugby World Cup Finall, Canada faced England again, this time at Sandy Park. Aagainst the champions, Canada offered the Red Roses their stongest Test, as neither team could break the deadlock. After 20 minutes of nail-biting defence, Canada secured the draw, and ended England's winning streak at 39 games.

It was a morning of action for Canada's XVs teams. Across the Atlantic ocean, Canada Women began their first match of the WXV Global Series, against Scotland. A blistering start gave Canada the edge throughout the game, and despite some discipline issues in the second half, Canada were able to secure an outright win against the hosts.Across the Pacific, Canada's Men faced Fiji in the semi-finals of the Pacific Nations Cup. And while they did not enjoy the same success as the women's team, they were able to produce their highest score against the Fijians ever!

There has been a LOT of rugby news and action going on, starting with Canada facing Japan, to celebrate 100 years of the JRFU...a predictable result, but a worthwhile occasion for the men's XVs team.Opportunities a-plenty, as Rugby Canada announce a new partnership with Champ Rugby in England, World Rugby announces the qualification pathway for the 2028 Olympic Sevens, and Canadian Women competed in the FISU World Championship Rugby Sevens in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

From the men's XV last week, we now have the touring squad for the Women's XV to Europe, as Canada's finest get set to face Scotland, England, and France, in their first fixtures of the 2026 WXV Global Series.In other headlines, FISU World University Championship Rugby 7s get underway with Canada competing in the Women's tournament, the Men's XVs games are confirmed (including a surprise trip to France,) and more action from Canadians in competitions overseas.

The international scene is picking up again for Canada, with the announcement of the men's travelling squad to Japan, for their match to mark the centenary of the Japanese Rugby Football Union, as well as the matches of the truncated 2026 Pacific Nations Cup.The lads go over who's included, who's missing, and who'd they have in the starting XV for the match against the Brave Blossoms.

The first leg of the Nations Cup concluded this past weekend, as Canada Men's team returned to Winnipeg for the first time in over 30 years , to take on Zimbabwe for the first time in their history.After a slow start (and a lightning delay,) Canada was able to get the lead, capitalize on penalties, and be far enough ahead, that even a second half resurgence from the Sables wasn't enough, as Canada got their first win of both the tournament, and the year.