women
international women
Rugby Canada have extended the contract of head coach and director of women’s rugby Kévin Rouet until the end of 2030.
The 39-year-old Frenchman, who took over in 2022, led Canada to the final of the women’s competition. Rugby World Cup 2025, where they finished as runners-up.
Rouet’s contract extension was announced ahead of Canada’s latest edition WXV Global Series clash with the Red Roses at BMO Field in Toronto.
Friday’s clash is expected to set a new attendance record for a stand-alone women’s rugby game in North America, with more than 18,000 fans expected to attend BMO Field in Toronto.
Since Rouet took over for Canada, he is 31-12-2 and helped the team to its first win against the Black Ferns.
Canada also held second place in the World Rugby Rankings for a long time New Zealand he skipped them at this year’s Pacific Four Series.
“Kévin has done an outstanding job leading our women’s programs, highlighted by Canada’s historic run to the 2025 Rugby World Cup finals and the team’s sustained position among the best teams in the world since he stepped into the role in 2022,” said Nathan Bombris, CEO of Rugby Canada.
“His leadership is world-class and we are delighted to extend Kévin’s contract until 2030. As head coach and director of women’s rugby, his leadership will put our women in the best position to succeed at the 2028 LA Olympics and the next Rugby World Cup in 2029.”
One of Rouet’s most significant introductions to Rugby Canada was the ‘One Squad’ philosophy.
This philosophy allowed players to move more freely between 15-a-side and 7-a-side setups, which coincided with Canada’s international success.
Rouet also spent last season as an assistant coach at Saracens, helping the club win the JAECOO Premiership title in women’s rugby.
Retaining Rouet provides Canada with continuity as they build towards the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029
Rouet said: “I am very excited about the opportunity to continue coaching this team for the next four years. We have grown so much as a group since I started in 2022, and I am excited to see what our teams and players can achieve as we approach the 2028 Olympics and the 2029 Rugby World Cup.
“I also look forward to continuing to help develop the high-performance pathway for women’s rugby in Canada. It will be an exciting next cycle.”
