Le Rouge Rugby Podcast

Last week was a statement to England. This week was a statement to the world!

In the nation's capital, Canada did what no other team has been able to do for 10 years - beat the Red Roses consecutively! Another impressive performance on home soil has meant that Canada retain the Utrecht Shield, as they end the tour - and season - with a win.

In other news, DeLeaka Menin is nominated for Women’s 15s Player of the Year, Olivia Apps is nominated for Women's 15s Try of the Year, the U17 Men head to Dakar for the Youth Olympics, the Dubai SVNS also hosts SVNS Div 3, and we have the squad for the final Men's Nations Cup games.

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.

The second round of the Nations Cup took place, this time with Portugal facing off against Canada, and...look, there's no 2 ways around this; it was a bad performance from Canada. After the last few games between the team having been decided by less than a score, the Portugese were able to fire on all cylinders, as the inexperience & lack of confidence from Canada was exploited clinically. The lads try to find some positives, but it was a bad performance.

The Nations Cup began for Canada in Edmonton, as they hosted the first of three opposition. Up first, Spain, where the visitors won in this venue last year. Looking to avenge last year's loss (and sets themselves up for their confrontation at the Men's Rugby World Cup next year,) Canada came out with a full attack, only to be met with a Spanish response. Truly, a dance of rugby under the Edmonton skies...

In other news, we have the fixtures for the Pacific Nations Cup, new signings around the world, and Canadian Women becoming champions in the PWR in England, and Elite 1 in France.

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.