Canada

Mark Anscombe has named his first Canada team as head coach. The New Zealander has named the most experienced side possible for Saturday’s historic match against Japan, the first ever 15-a-side rugby match to be played at Vancouver’s scenic BC Place. The stadium housed the sport for the first time …

So a new era in Canadian rugby begins. Again. A third head coach in the span of a few months – granted François Ratier was always meant to be temporary – and a mishmash group of players. Some young, some old. The new commandant Mark Anscombe probably could have done …

While much of the European club season is winding down, we still had a full slate of Top 14 action to pine over and of course PRO Rugby, the Pro D2 final, the Canadian Rugby Championship, and the match between Chile and the Argentina XV. Next week we’ll have the …

Former Canada u20 flyhalf Shane O’Leary has extended his deal with newly-crowned Guinness Pro 12 champions Connacht. The 23-year-old played a supporting role for the Irish province this season, appearing in six Pro 12 games and three Challenge Cup matches, starting on four occasions. He was also a regular starter …

In his first match in charge of Italy Conor O’Shea has named a much altered lineup to that which represented Italy in the 2016 Six Nations Championship. With regular captain Sergio Parisse not touring the captaincy has fallen upon scrum half Edoardo Gori. He will join forces in the halves …

No more referring to your favorite PRO Rugby side just by its locale. Just hours after closing their fan-poll on the shortlists announced last week, the new organization has announced the winners and new names for each of the five franchises. The new team names are: Denver Stampede – beating …

Jamie Cudmore will lead Canada in their three-test series in June. The veteran second row returns to Canada’s playing roster under new supremo Mark Anscombe after being part of the coaching staff during the Americas Rugby Championship. With a host of players unavailable for a variety of reasons among them …

Up and Under is a weekly feature on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week. UP Bermuda The only Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifier this weekend saw Bermuda toppling the Bahamas on Saturday. The 30-13 win sees Bermuda rising …

Denver’s unbeaten run in PRO Rugby is now at six games after they defeated San Diego by the closest of margins in a 24-23 nail-biter at Torero Stadium on Sunday. The score was back-and-forth all game, with the lead changing hands seven times before Will Magie’s match-winning conversion of Martin …

The Atlantic Rock have scored the first major upset of the 2016 Johnsonville Canadian Rugby Championship season, defeating the Ontario Blues 22-12 at Sherwood Forest Park in Burlington on Saturday. Strong defense and standout performances from several youngsters earned the first victory for the Rock over the Blues since 2010, …