PNC history

Number of tournaments: 5
Best finish: 2nd in 2013
Most points in a match: 36 (36-25 v Tonga, 2013)
Biggest win: 9 points (as above)

Did you know...? Canada’s first-ever international match was against Japan in Osaka in 1932.

Kit colour: Red/White

Nickname: Officially, there still isn’t one, but Canucks and Les Rouges are oft-used terms.

Known for: Their direct, no-fuss, physical rugby. 

Current form

World Ranking: 25
Form: LLLLL

PNC 2025 pool matches

22 August: Canada v USA – McMahon Stadium, Calgary
30 August: Japan v Canada – Yurtec Stadium, Sendai

Head Coach: Stephen Meehan

Former Bath and Toulon coach Meehan was named as Kingsley Jones’s successor in the Canada men’s coaching hotseat in December, after earlier appearing set to take charge at now-defunct MLR side Toronto Arrows.

This is Meehan’s first international appointment, but – as well as Bath and Toulon – he has coaching experience with French Top 14 side Stade Français, Super Rugby’s Western Force and Queensland Reds, and with Japan Top League outfit Kintetsu.

He’s been charged with bringing a more expansive style to Canadian rugby, but his primary objective remains Men's Rugby World Cup 2027.

In brief

The lowest-ranked side in PNC 2025 will have their eyes firmly on a seat on the plane to Australia, after missing out on qualification for the tournament in France – the first Rugby World Cup they have missed. 

Given the choice they would, no doubt, prefer direct qualification rather than having to go through a difficult play-off against the losing Sudamericano 2025 finalist, which could make Canada’s opening game against neighbours USA particularly important.

Key player: Jason Higgins

Irish-born scrum-half Higgins, who qualifies for Canada through his Montreal-born father, is a product of the competitive Munster schools system, and played AIL rugby in Ireland for Cork Constitution before crossing the Atlantic to the MLR in 2021. After one season with the now-defunct Toronto Arrows – where he also earned his first international call-up – he switched to San Diego Legion in 2022, and then, in 2024, moved to Chicago Hounds. 

With 22 test outings to his name, he will be an experienced go-to on and off the pitch throughout PNC 2025, and may well relish teaming up with Miami Sharks’ Cork-born fly-half Shane O’Leary, who’s returning to the Canada fold for the first time since 2019.

Legend: Eddie Evans

Rugby Canada Hall of Famer Evans’ earned 50 caps and played at three Rugby World Cups in a 14-year career as a prop between 1985 and 1999 – and can boast victories over Argentina, France, Scotland, Fiji, England, and Wales.

Squad

One-time Toronto Arrows’ prop Alexandre Janlin is one of four uncapped players in the squad. The 30-year-old now plays his club rugby in France, one of only a small number currently based abroad. UBC scrum-half Stephen Webb and Pacific Pride pair Austin Creighton and Karl Hunger are the other uncapped names on the list.

A number of players were absent from Meehan’s squad for a pre-tournament training camp in Edmonton, including Evan Olmstead who had in July returned to the group after a six-year hiatus, as well as Andrew Quattrin, Tyler Ardron, Andrew Coe, and Brock Webster.

Forwards

Callum Botchar, Austin Creighton, Foster DeWitt, Mason Flesch, Matt Heaton, Karl Hunger, Alexandre Janlin, Izzak Kelly, Cole Keith, Dewald Kotze, Jesse Mackail, Calixto Martinez, Matthew Oworu, Siôn Parry, Emerson Prior, Lucas Rumball, Kyle Steeves, Piers von Dadelszen, Conor Young

Backs

Nic Benn, Brenden Black, Cooper Coats, Noah Flesch, Brock Gallagher, Jason Higgins, Spencer Jones, Kainoa Lloyd, Josiah Morra, Talon McMullin, Peter Nelson, Shane O’Leary, Isaac Olson, Ben LeSage, Stephen Webb

They say

“We’re building a solid foundation in our efforts to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. We've invited a mix of experienced players and new talent, and we’re excited to see what each of them brings.” – Head coach Stephen Meehan before the pre-tournament camp in Edmonton