Scotland will be Canada’s first opponent of 2024. Their most recent matches were at La Vila in Spain last November when they defeated Brazil 40-15 and fell 42-20 to Spain. Also in 2023, Canada lost two World Cup warm-up matches to Tonga, doing so by 28-03 and 36-12.

In 2022, Canada lost 43-37 to Namibia but won 37-25 against the Netherlands and 45-0 against Belgium. 2021 was the Canadian low-point as Chile eliminated them from Rugby World Cup qualification and while there was also a painful 20-17 defeat against Portugal. In short, Canada experienced a decline during the previous World Cup cycle.

Match Venue

Scotland’s July tour of the Americas will begin at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa on July 06. The venue will also play host to Canada vs Romania on July 13.

Scotland previously played in the Canadian capital in 2006 and 2008; however, both were as Scotland ‘A’ as part of the former Churchill Cup.

Canadian eyes on Rugby World Cup 2023 and 2027

2023 was the first time that Canada did not compete at World Rugby’s feature tournament. Expansion to 24 teams for Australia 2027 will ease their pathway to the main stage for World Cup 2027.

Internal and external factors contributed to Canada missing France 2023. The past decade saw Japan, Georgia, Fiji, Uruguay and Chile improve. Players continued to get professional exposure and XV’s was priority with 7’s being secondary importance; this is unlike the case of Canada. Lacking a domestic competition was a factor but Chile shows it can be overcome. The South Americans benefited from motivation and organization while Canada suffered from internal issues that saw players unhappy with the governing body's overall vision for the sport.

Canadian Pro Rugby

Canadian rugby took a hammer blow in November 2023. The country’s only professional team, the Toronto Arrows, folded after five seasons of Major League Rugby (MLR). The club was unable to overcome the loss of Bill Webb, their co-founder and majority owner, who passed away in August.

A new semi-professional Canadian team debuted on June 28, 2024. The Vancouver Highlanders opened with 44-33 win against the Canada Selects. They face Germany on July 20.

Financial backing for the club comes from local businessman Ralph McRae but it remains to be seen what the future will bring. There are no intentions to enter MLR.

Caps and debutants

Head Coach Kingsley Jones included 13 uncapped players on his squad of 34. Five of the newcomers are from the Pacific Pride centralised development programme.

There are 18 from MLR clubs, 2 from the Welsh Premiership, three from overseas amateur clubs and a further three from Canada 7s. There are uncapped players across all positions.

Two players have 50 or more caps. Former Glasgow Warriors prop Djustice Sears-Duru is the most capped player with 67 caps. Flanker Lucas Rumball has 51 caps.

Players based in Europe

The roster has notable absentees. None more so than former captain Tyler Ardron who plays for Castres. Uncapped Montpellier lock Tyler Duguid is another. The pair are arguably the best active Canadian players. Ardron made himself unavailable for Kingsley Jones’ Canada beginning in December 2022.

French-based forwards Matt Beukeboom, Evan Olmstead, and Matt Tierney are also missing as is scrum-half Ross Braude who plays for the Pumas in South Africa.

Dangers 

The Canadian players to watch out for are Andrew Coe, Cooper Coats, Matthew Oworu and Mason Flesch. Coe’s score against Italy was Canada’s best try at Rugby World Cup 2019. Coats went from Canada 7’s to the test team and fit in well. He and Coe cover wing and fullback.

Matthew Oworu was born in Calgary but moved to Zimbabwe as a child. He learned his rugby there before getting an invite to join the Pacific Pride and Canada 7s. He is a powerful back-rower who performed well for Canada last November.

Mason Flesch is a strong contender for the MLR Dream Team. He plays flanker for the Chicago Hound and is very tidy with a solid work rate.

Historic Canada vs Scotland results

The 2024 fixture will be the ninth Canada vs Scotland meeting. Five of the prior fixtures were as Scotland and three as Scotland ‘A’. Notably, the teams have never crossed paths at a Rugby World Cup.

The first match between the countries was as Scotland ‘A’ in 1991 while the second was as Scotland in 1995. Scotland’s most recent match against Canada was in 2018 where the Scots won 48-10 in Edmonton.

The prior fixture was in 2014 and it remains a hot-topic for Canadian rugby fans. Canada had a shot at goal to secure victory but was denied the opportunity with Jebb Sinclair red-carded for leading with the elbow. Scotland narrowly won 19-17.

Canada did defeat Scotland 26-23 in 2002 in Vancouver. It was Canada’s most recent win against Tier 1 opposition.

Results

2018: Canada 10-48 Scotland (Edmonton)

2014: Canada 17-19 Scotland (Toronto)

2008: Scotland 41-0 Canada (Aberdeen)

2008: Canada 10-24 Scotland ‘A’ (Ottawa)

2006: Canada 10-15 Scotland ‘A’ (Ottawa)

2002: Canada 26-23 Scotland (Vancouver)

1995: Scotland 22-06 Canada (Edinburgh)

1991: Canada 24-19 Scotland ‘A’ (Saint John)

Canada's squad

Props

  • Cole Keith (New England Free Jacks, USA) 29 caps
  • Cali Martinez (Old Glory DC, USA) uncapped
  • Liam Murray (Dallas Jackals, USA) 8 caps
  • Djustice Sears-Duru (San Diego Legion, USA) 67 caps
  • Conor Young (RFC Los Angeles, USA) 5 caps

Hooker

  • Dewald Kotze (Dallas Jackals, USA) uncapped
  • Jesse Mackail (Pacific Pride, Canada) uncapped
  • Andrew Quattrin (New England Free Jacks, USA) 20 caps

Second row

  • Kyle Baillie (New England Free Jacks, USA) 37 caps
  • Mason Flesch (Chicago Hounds, USA) 6 caps
  • Conor Keys (New England Free Jacks, USA) 33 caps
  • James Stockwood (Pacific Pride, Canada) uncapped

Back row

  • Ethan Fryer (New England Free Jacks, USA) uncapped
  • Matt Klimchuk (Vancouver Highlanders, Canada) 1 cap
  • Matthew Oworu (Canada 7s, Canada) 4 caps
  • Sion Parry (Pontypridd, Wales) 2 caps
  • Lucas Rumball (Chicago Hounds, USA) 51 caps
  • Siaki Vikilani (Clifton, New Zealand) 13 caps

Scrum-half

  • Brock Gallagher (Dallas Jackals, USA) uncapped
  • Jason Higgins (Chicago Hounds, USA) 13 caps
  • Jesse Kilgour (Pacific Pride, Canada) uncapped

Fly-half

  • Mark Balaski (Pacific Pride, Canada) uncapped
  • Jamin Hodgkins (Bridgend, Wales) uncapped
  • Peter Nelson (Dungannon, Northern Ireland) 19 caps

Midfield

  • Ben LeSage (New England Free Jacks, USA) 30 caps
  • Takoda McMullin (Vancouver Highlanders, Canada) uncapped
  • Talon McMullin (Vancouver Highlanders, Canada) uncapped
  • Mitch Richardson (Dallas Jackals, USA) 4 caps

OUTSIDE BACKS

  • Nic Benn (Dallas Jackals, USA) uncapped
  • Cooper Coats (Canada 7s, Canada) 10 caps
  • Andrew Coe (RFC Los Angeles, USA) 18 caps
  • Rhys James (Pacific Pride, Canada) uncapped
  • Kainoa Lloyd (Associates, Australia) 24 caps
  • Josiah Morra (Canada 7s, Canada) 3 caps

PLAYERS ON STANDBY

  • Emerson Prior (LH, Utah Warriors, USA) uncapped
  • Foster DeWitt (LH/HO, New England Free Jacks, USA) 5 caps
  • Tyler Rowland (TH, Old Glory DC, USA) 1 cap
  • Kyle Steeves (TH, Dallas Jackals, USA) 1 cap
  • Izzak Kelly (LO, Pontypridd, Wales) 4 caps
  • Josh Larsen (LO, New England Free Jacks, USA) 21 caps
  • Callum Botchar (LO/FL, NOLA Gold, USA) 1 cap
  • Matt Heaton (FL, RFC Los Angeles, USA) 31 caps
  • Zephyr Melnyk (FL, Beddau, Wales) uncapped
  • Piers von Dadelszen (FL, New England Free Jacks) 4 caps
  • Jake Thiel (N8, Vancouver Highlanders, Canada) uncapped
  • Crosby Stewart (SH, James Bay, Canada) uncapped
  • Gradyn Bowd (FH, Old Glory DC, USA) 10 caps
  • Robbie Povey (Utah Warriors, USA) 17 caps
  • Gabe Casey (CE, New England Free Jacks, USA) 3 caps
  • Seth Purdey (RFC Los Angeles, USA) uncapped
  • Josh Thiel (CE, Vancouver Highlanders, Canada) 3 caps
  • Isaac Olson (CE/WI, New England Free Jacks, USA) 4 caps
  • Jack Shaw (WI, RFC Los Angeles, USA) uncapped