Episode 266: Clear Skies Ahead

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.

It was all eyes on BC, as SVNS returned to Vancouver, with the men's 7s team taking part in the Tek Tri-Nations Challenge. A mix of fortunes for the teams, as there were losses to be avoided, and wins that were well earned, on an action-packed weekend, though the crowd turnout was disappointing.In other news, players are getting picked up to play overseas, and Major League Rugby has decided to ditch TMO for the Referee Review System...which sounds very similar to TMO. Or VAR.

Canada's men took a reality check on the first leg of the SVNS 2 series, the dates for the 2026 edition of the Pacific Four Series were released, 6 new names were added to the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame, and all eyes turn to Vancouver, for both the Tri-Nations Challenge, and the latest edition of the VAN SVNS.

The lads had the opportunity to sit down with Canada Women's player (and Squidge Rugby's 2025 Scrum-Half of the Year,) Justine Pelletier!Justine regails us with her transition from Quarterback, to Centre, to Scrum-Half, getting into rugby at Laval, making her debut at Twickenham, playing & winning with Stade Bourdelais, playing in 2 Women's Rugby World Cups, that match with the Black Ferns, and what is next for her career.

The SVNS Series continues, as Canada's Women head to Perth. Faced with a tough pool (as they do at every tournament,) could they extend their title abmitions, before SVNS heads to Vancouver?And Rugby Canada makes a pitch to Dragons Den (recorded in May 2025,) as they looked to secure further investment to spread the good name of Canadian rugby. Will any of the Dragons take them up on their offer?

We return to the SVNS 1 circuit, as Canada gets some reinforcements for the Singapore tournament. A tough group required strong performances, as Canada was able to get their best result of the series so far.The lads also discuss the Tri-Nations Challenge set for Vancouver, the new T1 non-contact format, the upcoming U21 women's tour to Ireland & the UK, as well as Canada's schedule for the Men's Rugby World Cup in 2027.