Episode 269: Bear Necessities

With the inaugural Nations Cup in under 2 weeks time, Canada finally announce their squad for the home games they'll have in Edmonton and Winnipeg, as Stu, Jeff, and Ed give their choices for the starting XV.And MLR 2026 concludes at SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago, as the Hounds complete their perfect season with a home win in the final, to lift the MLR Shield for the first time.

The 2026 SVNS World Championsip concludes in Bordeaux, and with Canada's women already confirmed for SVNS 1 next season, can they set out to get a medal in thsi tournament, and end the year on a high note?Elsewhere, the Canada Men's team have their 2026 schedule (somewhat) confirmed, and the Major League Rugby regular season concludes with the Chicago Hounds getting a perfect result.

After a month's wait, we had the second round of the 2026 SVNS World Championship, with Canada's incredible form continuing in Valladolid, Spain. Would Canada be able to secure a medal, and confirm their place in SVNS 1 for next season?Back home, some disappointing news regarding USPORTS, and the BC Bears host games between Ontario Blues Men, and Alberta Wolfpack Women.

We sit down with 2014 Women's World Cup finalist, and key member of Rugby Canada and Rugby Alberta, Maria Samson, to discuss her rugby journey so far.Maria divulges playing rugby for the McGill Marlets, relocating to Alberta, getting her first cap in Oakville, tours to Europe and New Zealand, playing in the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup, and calling time on her Test career in 2016.Maria also talks about finishing 3rd in Canada's Smartest Person, the ongoing behind-the-scenes work for both Rugby Canada and Alberta rugby, as well as her hopes for the Rugby Rematch Tour later this year.

Canadian rugby playing dyanmo, and 2025 World Rugby Women's Player of the Year, Sophie de Goede, sits down with us to discuss her rugby journey so far.We discuss following in the footsteps of both Sophie's parents, winning gold for Queen's Gaels, signing for Saracens during lockdown, returning to London, wearing the Maple Leaf, getting the captaincy for 2022, attending 2 Women's Rugby World Cups, and preparing for the Rugby Rematch Tour in Toronto & Ottawa.

Canada's final round of the 2026 Pacific Four Series took place against tournament hosts, and old rivals, the USA. At SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago, the two teams contested a blitzing encounter, to determine who would finish second in this year's edition of the tournament.With the next women's XV matches not until September, a hug announcement came from Rugby Canada - The Rugby Rematch Tour, with Canada hosting England in a replay of the 2025 Women's World Cup Final, both in Toronto and Ottawa in October 2026!

The second round of the 2026 Pacific Four Series featured the match we had all been waiting for - a repeat of the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final, Canada vs New Zealand. After another delay due to stormy weather, the match got underway in Kansas City, MI.In Hong Kong, the women's Sevens team began the first round of the new SVNS World Championship. With a position in SVNS 1 for next season on the line, the women looked to secure the gold in Hong Kong's 50th SVNS tournament.

Canada kicked off their 2026 Pacific Four Series campaign in absolutely miserable weather in Sacramento, as they faced Australia in a waterlogged match-up, strewn with handling errors, and splash downs.In other news, Rugby Canada had their AGM, as the breakdown of expenses show the real position & capabilities of the national union.

It's been a mixed couple of weeks, as the Canadian Men's Sevens team put themselves in a Sysiphian position in SVNS 2, while the Under-21 Women's team went on the charge in the final 2 matches of there tour of Ireland and England.We also got the squad announcement for the Pacific Four Series, the U-20s Men's camp, and the locations for Canada's first 3 games of the new Nations Cup!

The SVNS 1 regular season concluded with the newest stage in New York, as they aimed to improve their ranking overall, even if the top 2 spaces were firmly occupied by Australia and New Zealand.In other news, the U21 Women began their tour of Ireland and England, more Canadians sign for Penarol in Super Rugby America, and the Men's Sevens team prepare for Round 2 of SVNS 2, as they aim to make one of the 4 spots available for the SVNS World Championship.