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Rugby Canada announced a significant strategic agreement with Champ Rugby in England earlier this week, which coach Stephen Meehan expects to have a positive impact on the national team ahead of the upcoming Men’s Rugby World Cup.
Before Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 kicks off this weekend for the Canucks, Rugby Canada revealed a significant partnership with Champ Rugby on August 8, which will give the men’s players a chance to ply their trade across the pond.
The reformatted second-tier English rugby competition features 14 teams and will welcome some Canadian internationals to continue their development in high-performance professional environments ahead of next year’s World Cup.
RugbyPass reported on Tuesday that financial and logistical measures have been put in place to encourage Champ Rugby teams to sign Canadian players. Coach Meehan estimates that about 15 Canadians could be stationed overseas, in countries like England, Ireland and France.
“It’s a great thing for the players. It’s a great thing to get them back into Europe,” Meehan told reporters.
“If you look at it now, there are at least five of our strikers in Pro D2. We have a similar number currently on the way to the Championship when this tour is over.
“It’s a great development through World Rugby, through the championship, through Rugby Canada and Nathan Bombris, the CEO (of Rugby Canada) has done a fantastic job. He’s worked tirelessly for this and on behalf of the players, so I think they have a lot to be thankful for.
“They will be able to play a lot of rugby in good competition and that can only be a good thing for them in their development and for our national team in the future. I hope it obviously continues like that – maybe it will have a bigger impact in 2031 than in 2027, but it’s a great start.”
Canada qualified for the men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, and this partnership brings another benefit to the program. Ex Bosses lock Tyler Ardon continues to play at a high level, now with Castres in the Top 14, but there weren’t many Canadians playing in the UK.
Nations One side Reading Rams announced on June 25 that Ryan Cozens had signed a contract, with the striker potentially set to make his debut for Canada during the Pacific Nations Cup. Dewald Kotze, Sam Turner and Barnaby Waddell also spent time at English clubs.
From the list of Canadian teams for the PNC, national team members are aligned with clubs in Ireland, Portugal and Wales also. Ardon, Andrew Quattrin and Evan Olmstead have played 109 Tests between them, but those three are unavailable due to club commitments in France.
“There are a number of clubs in that competition … if you get a player or two at each club that would be fantastic, but it’s a competitive field. I guess there’s no limit to our ambitions. You hope that if he starts with six or eight this season, you’ll want those six or eight to be good ambassadors for Rugby Canada player moving forward … They can help explain Rugby Canada player…”
“We have a few players coming back to the AIL in Ireland this year as well, so that will be good for their development.
“There are probably 15 players through Ireland, through France and through the championship at the moment. I hope it will only grow. Hopefully we get those chances and see what they can do.”
