Episode 255: A Winning Start to 2026

It’s January, and we already have some Canadian rugby action,as the Men’s Sevens team flew out to Dubai, to take part in the SVNS Division 3.Placed in a tough group including Italy, Belgium, and Madagascar, the Canadians needed to finish in the top 2 of their group to make the semi-finals. After that, they needed to win their semi-final, to ensure they qualified for SVNS 2, and the opportunity to return to the SVNS World Championship.The lads go over the games, as well as look ahead to the Women’s upcoming tournaments in SVNS 1. 

To close out 2025, the lads sit down for an interview with Canada National Senior Women XVs Head Coach (and Saracens assistant coach,) Kevin Rouet!Kevin tells us about his rugby childhood in France, making the decision to move to Quebec, putting aside his "real job" to become a full-time rugby coach, joining the national team set-up, and taking Canada to 2 Women's Rugby World Cups with fewer than 4 years preparation!

The second round of SVNS in Cape Town concludes, with Canada's Women unable to get a win in the pool, condemning them to another 5th-place playoff. To add further complications, star player Asia Hogan-Rochester has been signed to Sale Sharks Women, limiting her availability for the rest of the SVNS series...and who knows what the promoption/relegation structure will be like, or if World Rugby changes it at the last minute?As the international calendar has effectively ended for Canada in 2025, the lads take a look back on the year, and select their best moment, as well as what they hope for Canadian rugby in 2026.

With the Pool draw for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup now complete, Canada is scheduled to face Spain, Fiji, and Argentina when they return to rugby's biggest stage. With the tournament now less than 2 years away, Canada will have to focus on the players and playing style they will need to compete in Australia.The lads also discuss Canadian signings in Portugal, the 2026 MLR season structure, the betrayal of Jack Hanratty, and the Women 7s team results from the first round of SVNS in Dubai.

The Canadian Men's XV side concluded their November tour of Europe with their match against Portugal. While this was the closest encounter of the tour, and showed a clear improvement as the tour progressed, home advantage won out, with Os Lobos winning 33-27The lads also discuss the rumoured schedule for the 2026 Nations Cup, the scrimmage between the Chicago Hounds vs the Pacific Pride, the Men's 7s success at the RAN Sevens, and look ahead to the Women's 7s taking place in Dubai, to kick off the new SVNS series.

Canada's men's XV continues their tour of Europe, this time against Georgia. Always a tough opponenet, there were flashes of brilliance against the Lelos, but ultimately, it was the home team that came out on top.In other international news, it was confirmed that Canada's men will take part in the Nations Cup in 2026 - a new international tournament, where Canada are confirmed to have 6 games - 3 in July, and 3 in November. Combined with the Pacific Nations Cup, this means that Canada's men's team will have a guarenteed 9 games next year!Menawhile back home, the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship took place, with the Guelph Gryphons producing a majestic win over ETS.

The Canadian men's team began their November tour of Europe in Bucharest, as they faced Romania for the Cernavodă Cup. With a new-look team, and away from home, Canada fell to the hosts, 31-21.In Major League Rugby, the Utah Warriors announced their withdrawal from the tournament, as MLR 2026 is set to go ahead with only 6 teams - the fewest for a season in MLR history.And the lads celebrate UBC on securing their second, consecutive USPORT Women's Rugby Championship, as well as look ahead to the Canadian Unviersity Men's Rugby Championship.

As we sit in the lull between the end of the Women's Rugby World Cup, and the start of the Men's European tour, Rugby Canada announce the University Rugby Task Force - a collaboration between the national body, U SPORTS, CUMRC, university programs, and provincial unions, to help retain players, and build on the strength of the university programmes into the national squads.And speaking of the Men's European tour, Stephen Meehan has announced the touring squad, featuring some new names, and a worrying sign of absences due to changes within MLR, as the lads assess Canada's chances against Romania, Georgia, and Portugal.

It's been a rough off season for Major League Rugby. With a press release stating their intention for 2026 and beyond, the league has also made a committment to USA Rugby, ensuring that 16 players of every matchday squad are either USA eligible, or on the player pathway to join the USA Eagles. This leaves us with the big question around Canadian players...where do we go now?But something that is confirmed are the fixtures for the Men's team this autumn, as they are set to take on Romania, Georgia, and Portugal in their tour of Europe.

Not all fairytales have happy endings.In the home of rugby, on the hallowed ground of Twickenham, these mighty women represented Canada, and left it all on the pitch...but it wasn't meant to be, as they came up short against the might of England, as the Red Roses were victorious, 33-13, and lifted the Women's Rugby World Cup at home.But one defeat does not undo all the effort and successes elsewhere, as this tournament has proven that women's rugby - née, women's sport - is worthy of investment and growth, and that Canada's women are eager to bring the fight, as eyes turn to Australia in 2029.And one victory is certain - after years of us saying so, Sophie de Goede is finally recognised as the best Women's Rugby Player in the world for 2025.