Canadian men play Belgium, Spain next month
There is about 5,000 kilometres between Rugby Canada’s headquarters in Langford and the New England states across the border. But that distance melts away when it comes to rugby. Seven players from the two-time defending Major League Rugby-champion New England Free Jacks, who play the Houston SaberCats today in the 2025 MLR championship game in Rhode Island, have been named for the 42-player training camp for Canada’s two rugby Tests next month at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton against Belgium and Spain.
The Free Jacks players will join the camp following the MLR championship game, including forward Foster Dewitt of Courtenay and Westshore RFC. Other players from the Island or Island teams named to the selection camp include forwards Austin Creighton and Callum Botchar of James Bay Athletic Association, Emerson Prior of Westshore RFC, Karl Hunger and Matthew Oworu of Pacific Pride and backs Josh McIndoe of Victoria, Kyle Tremblay of Pacific Pride and Morgan Di Nardo of the University of Victoria Vikes.
Former World Cup player and Canada sevens great Phil Mack of Victoria is assistant coach to new Canadian head coach Stephen Meehan in a big year as qualifying play for the 2027 World Cup in Australia begins in the fall.
“This time together will be extremely valuable as we make our final selections for the July tests and build a strong foundation as we strive towards World Cup qualification later this year,” Meehan said in a statement.
“We have invited a mix of experienced players and new talent and are looking forward to seeing what they each bring to camp.”
From the camp, 32 players will be selected for the Test matches. Canada, ranked 24th in the world, will play No. 22 Belgium on July 12 and No. 16 Spain on July 18 at Clarke Stadium. Both opponents are within the rank of national sides that Canada, formerly a solid second-tier rugby nation, needs to be beating in order to climb back up the world rankings.
SCRUM NOTES:Sophie De Goede of Victoria will return from her devastating ACL injury last year to captain the world No. 2 Canadian women’s team against No. 12 South Africa on July 5 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria and July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Joining De Goede on the roster for South Africa announced Friday will be six players from the Canadian sevens team that won the silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics — Caroline Crossley of Victoria, UVic Vikes player Carissa Norsten, former Vikes star Krissy Scurfield, Fancy Bermudez of Westshore RFC, Alysha Corrigan and Olivia Apps. Former UVic star Pamphinette Buisa, Gabrielle Senft of Castaway Wanderers and Rori Wood of Sooke were also named to the team as Canada continues preparing for the women’s World Cup this summer in England.
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