Le Rouge Rugby Podcast

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...

Not all fairytales have happy endings. In the home of rugby, on the hallowed ground of Twickenham, these mighty women represented Canada, and left it all on the pitch...but it wasn't meant to be, as they came up short against the might of England, as the Red Roses were victorious, 33-13, and lifted the Women's Rugby World Cup at home. But one defeat does not undo all the effort and success...

The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and Canada, will go down as one of the greatest test matches in rugby history! Stu, Jeff, and Ed go over the game, with plaudits a-plenty, as the Canadians took their style of rugby to the defending champions, as they ran wild to win an historic 34-19 , and aim to go all the way in the World Cup Final! The lads also go over the ne...

In the Quarter-Finals of the Women's Rugby World Cup, Canada were ruthless against Australia, scoring almost immediately, and giving no room for the Wallaroos to get points, as they won 46-5, advancing to the Semi-Finals, and qualifying for the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup. In Denver, the men's team faced their biggest challenge in the PNC, as they were outmatched & outplayed by de...

As Canada close out their pool game matches, the talismanic Tyson Beukeboom becomes the most capped player in Canadian rugby history, earning her 81st cap against Scotland. A resolute performance by the scots, but it was the Canadians who came out on top, as they secured a clean sweep of their pool, winning 40-19. Also, how do you qualify for a Rugby World Cup, without even playing this weekend? W...

Canada's men flew out to Japan to take on the Brave Blossoms as part of the PNC, and while the first half was a close affair, Japan put their foot on the gas in the second, as they were runaway winners, 57-15. At the Women's Rugby World Cup, Canada had their 2nd pool stage match against Wales, and while the Welsh were able to stem the tide for the first 15 minutes, it soon became an all-Canadian a...

It has been a very good weekend for Canadian rugby! Firstly, the highly contested Pacific Nations Cup match between Canada and the USA in Calgary, doubling as a qualification match for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup. After 4 years in the wilderness, Tyler Ardron returned for the performance of his Canadian career, serving up 4 tries over his 80 minutes, as Canada defied the odds, to win 34-20!...

In their final warm-up match before the Women's Rugby World Cup, Canada took on Ireland in Belfast, leading off strongly in the first half, yet taking their foot off the gas in the second, as they won 47-26. Back home, the men's team is having a training camp in Calgary before the Pacific Nations Cup, confusing fans as other nations have already announced their squads. And in St Johns, you...

Well...in the space of about 8 days, Major League Rugby has gone from having 11 teams, to only 8! The withdrawal of NOLA Gold and Miami Sharks, as well as the merger of San Diego Legion and RFC Los Angeles, into the California Legion, has left fans scratching their heads, as Stu & Ed ask what this means for the future of the league. Meanwhile, in much more positive news, Canada's women hos...

2 Canada matches on the same day? 2 matches held in Edmonton? Players scoring 2 tries in a match? ...if Canadians love anything, it's a double-double! We begin with a review of Canada's victory over South Africa, how the WRWC squad is building up, and what we should expect against the USA & Ireland. moving to Edmonton, as the alds go over the games against Belgium and Spain, including...

Down in Pretoria, the Canadian women had a bruising encounter with the Springbok Women. While there were a few knocks and injury concerns, it was Canada that emerged victorious in the first Test match of the series, leaving the pitch with a 50-20 victory. Back home, preparations are nearing the end for the men's summer series in Edmonton. With some notable absences and additions to the final s...

Down in Rhode Island, the New England Free Jacks faced off against the Houston Sabercats. Backed by a strong Canadian contingent, the Free Jacks were able to emerge victorious, lifting the MLR Shield for the 3rd time in as many years. Attention then turns to international duty, as Canada's women have announced their touring side to South Africa, as well as the squad for the first test.

With the Conference Finals for MLR 2025 done, Stu & Jeff go over the performances of each team that were playing to make it to the Championship Final in Rhode Island...well, almost every performance. Attention then turns back to Canada for the 2025 edition of the coast to Coast Cup, and Head Coach Stepohen Meehan announces his training squad for the July test series in Edmonton.

The Conference Semi-Finals for MLR 2025 took place, as home advantage paid dividends to the four teams that advance to the Conference Finals. Stu & Ed go over the action, including some cracking tries, and some dubious calls from the TMO.Attention then turns towards Rugby Canada, who released their longlists for both the men's and women's senior XV training squads. For the men, we have...

Down in Nadi, Fiji, Canada participated in their 2 remaining matches of the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge . Their match against Fiji was their biggest test, and a poor start to the match gave Fiji a huge lead going into the half. While Canada outscored the Fijians in the second-half, the hosts remained victorious. Canada's final match against Tonga saw them bounce back with a dominant win, as t...

The 2025 Pacific Four Series concluded in a unique way, with Canada and New Zealand tying their match, and relying on points difference to determine this year's champion. Despite Canada's best efforts against Australia, the Black Ferns ran rampant over the USA, as they claim the title, yet Canada remain undefeated in 2025. We also take a look at U20s fixtures, as the women conclude their f...

As the 2025 season of Major League Rugby has truly entered the business end, Stu and Jeff go over the performance of the Canadian players, as well as pondering why certain players are not even in the matchday 23, nevermind the starting 15.They also take a look at some results in the Shute Shield, as well as Tyler Duguid's heavily-rumoured decision to play for France this summer. Then, attentio...

All the Canadian rugby action has been taking place in the United States this past weekend, and it looks as though the US is becoming the 11th province! On Friday, the Pacific Four Series kicked off in Kansas City, as Canada opened their defence of their PAC title against the Eagles. A tight, rusty affair had Canada blitz out in the final quarter of the game to take the victory, 26-14. On Saturday...

With the first match of the 2025 Pacific Four Series set to kick-off, the lads look at the rest of the games set to take place, changes to Canada's expanded squad, and the return of the legendary Portia Woodman-Wickliffe to the Black Ferns.

Both women's and men's sevens teams for Canada have been in action recently - the women have concluded the regular season of the SVNS series, while the men have finished within the top 4 teams of the Challenger Series. This means that in Los Angeles, both teams will be competing, yet in separate tournaments - the women will be competing for the Championship, to become the best team in the...

In this episode Stu sits down with the two guys leading the Yukon Rugby Federation in Whitehorse - Charlie Feht , and Eric Fekete . Over the interview, they discuss Yukon Rugby’s unofficial beginnings in 2015, tours to Anchorage, becoming an affiliate of BR Rugby, and their plans to become the first Territory to take men’s and women’s rugby teams to the Canada Summer Games.

Down in South Africa, the Canadian Men's Sevens team has been taking part in the Challenger Series, as they seek to finish in the top 8, with a sight to return to the SVNS Series. Stu, Jeff, and Ed go over the team's progress over the first 2 rounds, both held in Cape Town, as well as discussing some broadcast issues with MLR, and some Canadians on the injury list.

Stu and Jeff are joined by rugby player & referee, Edward Pye, as the eyes of the world turned to Vancouver for both the VAN SVNS (where the women competed,) and the Invitational tournament (in which the men competed.) Then, the attention turns to MLR 2025 - with all teams having played at least 1 game so far, who's standing out, and what do we make of the sides as the season kicks off?

With snow falling in Ontario, we take a look south as the new season of Major League Rugby has begun. Stu is accompanied by Jeff Robinson to discus the Canadian diaspora south fo the border - no tarriffs needed! They then turn their attention to changes at Rugby Canada, recent SVNS results, the changes at the Pacific Pride, and the expansion of the Coast-to-Coast Cup!

To start off 2025, Stu sits down with rugby content creator Séan Ryan, to discuss  Séan's rugby history, his journey from Ireland to Canada, and his search for the best rugby crest in Ontario.