Pacific Nations Cup history
Number of tournaments: 6
Best finish: Fourth in 2025
Most points in a match: 36 (36-25 v Tonga, 2013)
Biggest win: 9 points (36-25 v Tonga, 2013)
Did you know...? Canada’s first-ever international match was against Japan in Osaka in 1932.
Kit colour: Red/White
Known for: Their direct, no-fuss, physical rugby.
Current form
World Ranking: 24
Form: LLDLW
Head coach: Stephen Meehan
Former Bath and Toulon coach Meehan was named as Kingsley Jones’ successor as Canada’s head coach in December 2024, after earlier appearing set to take charge at now-defunct Major League Rugby (MLR) side Toronto Arrows.
It was 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 which he has already overseen qualification for.
In brief
The lowest-ranked side in the Pacific Nations Cup 2026, Canada missed out on qualification for RWC 2023 in France – the first one they have missed – so will no doubt have one eye on Australia 2027.
Meehan’s men qualified for the tournament by reaching the semi-finals in last year’s Pacific Nations Cup, eventually finishing fourth.
Another progressive Pacific Nations Cup campaign in Japan and climax to the World Rugby Nations Cup in November would be a timely boost heading into a Rugby World Cup year and, under Meehan’s astute guidance, Canada will be determined to achieve that.
They assembled in Tokyo Bay for a week-long training camp before a game against Japan in to mark the Japan Rugby Football Union’s 100th anniversary celebrations in Niigata on 5 September ahead of their PNC opener against Fiji seven days later.
Key player: Lucas Rumball
A product of Balmy Beach Rugby Club in Toronto, softly-spoken Rumball’s on-pitch alter ego is anything but laidback. The hard-tackling, hard-carrying flanker has won approaching 70 caps – making him comfortably the most-capped player in Canada’s squad – and scored a number of important tries, while leading his country through some difficult times.
Legend: DTH van der Merwe
The winger is one of the most iconic players in Canadian rugby history. Over a remarkable 14-year career, from 2006-2019, he earned 61 caps for Canada and played in four Rugby World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019).
Van der Merwe is Canada's top men’s try scorer of all time, with an impressive total of 38.
Squad
Meehan has included five uncapped players in his 32-strong squad in Jamie Armstrong, Bryce Worden, Sam Turner, Ryan Cozens and Jack Gore.
Gore was named the 2025 Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship Rookie of the Year after a standout first season with Wilfrid Laurier University.
Armstrong and Worden could have made their debuts by the time the tournament gets underway, having been named on the bench against Japan on 5 September.
Evan Olmstead, Tyler Ardron, and Andrew Quattrin are unavailable for selection due to club commitments.
Forwards: Callum Botchar, Austin Creighton, Ryan Cozens, Foster Dewitt, Daragh Doyle, Mason Flesch, Ethan Fryer, Izzak Kelly, Dewald Kotze, Sam Miller, Cody Nhanala, Siôn Parry, Emerson Prior, Lucas Rumball, Kyle Steeves, Sam Turner, Barnaby Waddell, Bryce Worden.
Backs: Jamie Armstrong, Cooper Coates, Jack Gore, Jason Higgins, Jacob Ince, Liam James, Spencer Jones, Jesse Kilgour, Ben LeSage, Josh McIndoe, Takoda McMullin, Isaac Olson, Kyle Tremblay, Stephen Webb.
Schedule
Semi-final v Fiji on Saturday, 12 September – Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka
Final day v Japan/USA on Saturday, 19 September – Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
They said
“We want proactive, committed players who are willing to compete and take their opportunities. This is about proving what we’re capable of and showing that we can become a much more threatening team.” – Head coach Stephen Meehan on his squad selection
