Episode 248: Back to School

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.

The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and Canada, will go down as one of the greatest test matches in rugby history!Stu, Jeff, and Ed go over the game, with plaudits a-plenty, as the Canadians took their style of rugby to the defending champions, as they ran wild to win an historic 34-19, and aim to go all the way in the World Cup Final!The lads also go over the new WXV Global Series structure, Canada Men's bronze medal match in the Pacific Nations Cup, and a new rumour going around Major League Rugby...

In the Quarter-Finals of the Women's Rugby World Cup, Canada were ruthless against Australia, scoring almost immediately, and giving no room for the Wallaroos to get points, as they won 46-5, advancing to the Semi-Finals, and qualifying for the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup.In Denver, the men's team faced their biggest challenge in the PNC, as they were outmatched & outplayed by defending champions Fiji, losing 63-10, promting questions about if two Tier 1 teams should remain in the competition, or advance to The Rugby Championship.And the lads end on the latest developments at Rugby Canada, including the new National Growth Plan 2025-2030.

As Canada close out their pool game matches, the talismanic Tyson Beukeboom becomes the most capped player in Canadian rugby history, earning her 81st cap against Scotland. A resolute performance by the scots, but it was the Canadians who came out on top, as they secured a clean sweep of their pool, winning 40-19.Also, how do you qualify for a Rugby World Cup, without even playing this weekend? We're not sure, but the Canadian men did it! Following Japan's win over the USA in the PNC, Canada will now return to the Men's Rugby World Cup in 2027, when they'll head to Australia.

Canada's men flew out to Japan to take on the Brave Blossoms as part of the PNC, and while the first half was a close affair, Japan put their foot on the gas in the second, as they were runaway winners, 57-15.At the Women's Rugby World Cup, Canada had their 2nd pool stage match against Wales, and while the Welsh were able to stem the tide for the first 15 minutes, it soon became an all-Canadian affair, as the Maple Leaves secured the bonus point in the first half, including a mighty run in from debutant Asia Hogan-Rochester. The 42-0 victory ensured Canada will advance to the quarter-finals, and one step closer to lifting the trophy.

It has been a very good weekend for Canadian rugby!Firstly, the highly contested Pacific Nations Cup match between Canada and the USA in Calgary, doubling as a qualification match for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup. After 4 years in the wilderness, Tyler Ardron returned for the performance of his Canadian career, serving up 4 tries over his 80 minutes, as Canada defied the odds, to win 34-20!Then, over in England, the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup got underway, as Canada faced Fiji in their opening pool game. Already firmly in the driver's seat, Julia Schell pulled off not only the fastest hat-trick in any Rugby World Cup, but followed it up with another hat-trick, as Canada threw down the gauntlet as contenders for the golden trophy.Was this the best weekend in Candian rugby history? We shall see...

In their final warm-up match before the Women's Rugby World Cup, Canada took on Ireland in Belfast, leading off strongly in the first half, yet taking their foot off the gas in the second, as they won 47-26.Back home, the men's team is having a training camp in Calgary before the Pacific Nations Cup, confusing fans as other nations have already announced their squads. And in St Johns, youth teams representing provinces and territories took to the field for the men's and women's sevens in the 2025 Canada Summer Games.

Well...in the space of about 8 days, Major League Rugby has gone from having 11 teams, to only 8! The withdrawal of NOLA Gold and Miami Sharks, as well as the merger of San Diego Legion and RFC Los Angeles, into the California Legion, has left fans scratching their heads, as Stu & Ed ask what this means for the future of the league.Meanwhile, in much more positive news, Canada's women hosted their only home game this year, as they took on the United States in front of a record crowd, as they prepare for their biggest Women's Rugby World Cup, with eyes on lifting the brand new trophy.