Le Rouge Rugby Podcast

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.

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?