Le Rouge Rugby Podcast

With the inaugural Nations Cup in under 2 weeks time, Canada finally announce their squad for the home games they'll have in Edmonton and Winnipeg, as Stu, Jeff, and Ed give their choices for the starting XV.And MLR 2026 concludes at SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago, as the Hounds complete their perfect season with a home win in the final, to lift the MLR Shield for the first time.

We return to the SVNS 1 circuit, as Canada gets some reinforcements for the Singapore tournament. A tough group required strong performances, as Canada was able to get their best result of the series so far.The lads also discuss the Tri-Nations Challenge set for Vancouver, the new T1 non-contact format, the upcoming U21 women's tour to Ireland & the UK, as well as Canada's schedule for the Men's Rugby World Cup in 2027.

It’s January, and we already have some Canadian rugby action,as the Men’s Sevens team flew out to Dubai, to take part in the SVNS Division 3.Placed in a tough group including Italy, Belgium, and Madagascar, the Canadians needed to finish in the top 2 of their group to make the semi-finals. After that, they needed to win their semi-final, to ensure they qualified for SVNS 2, and the opportunity to return to the SVNS World Championship.The lads go over the games, as well as look ahead to the Women’s upcoming tournaments in SVNS 1.

The second round of SVNS in Cape Town concludes, with Canada's Women unable to get a win in the pool, condemning them to another 5th-place playoff. To add further complications, star player Asia Hogan-Rochester has been signed to Sale Sharks Women, limiting her availability for the rest of the SVNS series...and who knows what the promoption/relegation structure will be like, or if World Rugby changes it at the last minute?As the international calendar has effectively ended for Canada in 2025, the lads take a look back on the year, and select their best moment, as well as what they hope for Canadian rugby in 2026.

The Canadian Men's XV side concluded their November tour of Europe with their match against Portugal. While this was the closest encounter of the tour, and showed a clear improvement as the tour progressed, home advantage won out, with Os Lobos winning 33-27The lads also discuss the rumoured schedule for the 2026 Nations Cup, the scrimmage between the Chicago Hounds vs the Pacific Pride, the Men's 7s success at the RAN Sevens, and look ahead to the Women's 7s taking place in Dubai, to kick off the new SVNS series.

The Canadian men's team began their November tour of Europe in Bucharest, as they faced Romania for the Cernavodă Cup. With a new-look team, and away from home, Canada fell to the hosts, 31-21.In Major League Rugby, the Utah Warriors announced their withdrawal from the tournament, as MLR 2026 is set to go ahead with only 6 teams - the fewest for a season in MLR history.And the lads celebrate UBC on securing their second, consecutive USPORT Women's Rugby Championship, as well as look ahead to the Canadian Unviersity Men's Rugby Championship.

It's been a rough off season for Major League Rugby. With a press release stating their intention for 2026 and beyond, the league has also made a committment to USA Rugby, ensuring that 16 players of every matchday squad are either USA eligible, or on the player pathway to join the USA Eagles. This leaves us with the big question around Canadian players...where do we go now?But something that is confirmed are the fixtures for the Men's team this autumn, as they are set to take on Romania, Georgia, and Portugal in their tour of Europe.