Canada

Nigel Owens will take charge of the opening match of Rugby World Cup 2019 when Japan plays Russia in Tokyo. The 48-year-old Welshman refereed the 2015 World Cup Final between New Zealand and Australia. This will be his fourth World Cup tournament, following which Owens has stated he will retire …

NOLA’s contract renewal spree continues with the signing of Canadian international Kyle Baillie to a three-year extension that will see him wearing Gold through the end of the 2022 Major League Rugby Season. The 28-year-old follows Tristan Blewett, Eric Howard, and Nikola Bursic in recent long-term signings. Baillie made a …

Canada are one step closer to confirming their World Cup squad after announcing a traveling group of 31 for the Pacific Nations Cup. A dozen players are now on the outside looking in, though Head Coach Kingsley Jones says there is still time to make changes. “The PNC’s are a …

Canada earned a comprehensive victory over Hong Kong in their final pool match of the World Rugby u20 Trophy, scoring 12 tries en route to a 78-26 final score. Will Percillier led the way with four tries and 32 points all told, with Lachlan Kratz grabbing a hat trick. It’s …

Italian international Robert Barbieri has confirmed his retirement from professional rugby. The 35-year-old loose forward hangs up the boots after enjoying a 16-year career in Europe including more than a decade playing for Benetton Treviso in the Italian 1st division and the Guinness Pro Championship. Born and raised in Toronto …

Rugby Canada has confirmed the appointment of Jamie Cudmore as the new Head Coach of the Pacific Pride. The 40-year-old has returned to his home country after spending the last 17 years abroad, 15 in France. His joins from Pro D2 club Aix-en-Provence where he was Director of Rugby for …

Sean Duke is coming out of retirement to suit up for Canada – again. The 31-year-old has made a surprise return to the Canadian Men’s Sevens team for the Pan Am Games, three years after he called it quits on the international stage following 42 HSBC Sevens Series events and …

Two rounds are now in the books and realistically there are two spots yet to be sorted for the finals. Pool A has been all but sorted with Japan only requiring a single bonus point against Kenya to clinch their spot in the Final. Meanwhile it’s a dead heat in …

Twenty teams will compete at RWC 2019, eleven of whom have played in every tournament since, and including, the inaugural edition in 1987. Canada is among this elite list. The North Americans are joined by Argentina, Australia, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales. Canada is also …

Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.   UP Uruguay Looking to build well into the final stage of RWC preparations Uruguay have acquired the services of two former Pumas. …