Matt Tierney could make his first test appearance in four years after the former Castres prop was included in Canada’s squad for the upcoming European tour. The 29-year-old suffered a serious ankle injury in September of 2023 but saw regular game time with the Oakville Crusaders this year. Tierney is one of 33 names included on Steve Meehan’s traveling roster.
Also returning from a national team hiatus is Robbie Povey. The 29-year-old flyhalf won his most recent cap against Brazil in November of 2023. He is joined in the squad by Rotherham Titans clubmate James Naylor, a former England age-grade select who is primarily a scrumhalf but can also play on the wing. Naylor is among seven uncapped inclusions, the others all products of Canada’s u20 program.
With Canada having already secured qualification to the 2027 World Cup, several experienced internationals will sit out the tour including all of their France-based professionals. Major League Rugby standouts Cali Martinez, Matt Heaton, and Ben LeSage will take time off after featuring during the Pacific Nations Cup campaign, with Shane O’Leary among the non-traveling reserves.
A shake-up to the coaching staff sees former national team captain Phil Mack departing, with Graeme Moffat returning as skills coach. The Alberta-based Scotsman filled a similar role under former Canada coaches Kieran Crowley and Mark Anscombe. Ex-Glasgow Warriors and Old Glory DC flanker Callum Gibbins, now based in Ontario, joins the team as a defense coach.
Canada’s tour begins on November 8 with a clash against Romania in Bucharest. A week later they will take on Georgia in Batumi, before closing out their 2025 campaign opposite Portugal in Coimbra.
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Sam Miller (James Bay) 1 cap
Emerson Prior (Utah Warriors) 5 caps
Matt Tierney (Oakville Crusaders) 25 caps
HOOKER
Austin Creighton (James Bay) 1 cap
Dewald Kotze (Seattle Seawolves) 10 caps
Jeffrey Young (Dings Crusaders, UK) uncapped
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Cole Keith (New England Free Jacks) 41 caps
Kyle Steeves (New England Free Jacks) 5 caps
Bryce Worden (Burnaby Lake) uncapped
SECOND ROW
Callum Botchar (NOLA Gold) 8 caps
Ryan Cozens (Cardiff Met, UK) uncapped
Izzak Kelly (Capilano) 10 caps
Barnaby Waddell (Bridgend Ravens, UK) uncapped
BACK ROW
Mason Flesch (Chicago Hounds) 17 caps
Matthew Oworu (Chicago Hounds) 14 caps
Sion Parry (Ebbw Vale, UK) 13 caps
Lucas Rumball (capt., Chicago Hounds) 62 caps
Piers von Dadelszen (New England Free Jacks) 10 caps
SCRUMHALF
Brock Gallagher (Seattle Seawolves) 9 caps
Jason Higgins (Chicago Hounds) 25 caps
James Naylor (Rotherham Titans, UK) uncapped
FLYHALF/FULLBACK
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) 32 caps
Robbie Povey (Rotherham Titans, UK) 17 caps
Cooper Coats (NOLA Gold) 20 caps
MIDFIELD
Noah Flesch (Chicago Hounds) 8 caps
Spencer Jones (Utah Warriors) 13 caps
Josh McIndoe (UVic Vikes) uncapped
Kyle Tremblay (Westshore) 1 cap
OUTSIDE BACKS
Nic Benn (Utah Warriors) 10 caps
Morgan Di Nardo (UVic Vikes) uncapped
Takoda McMullin (UBC Thunderbirds) 5 caps
Josiah Morra (New England Free Jacks) 11 caps
Jack Shaw (RFC Los Angeles) 1 cap
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach – Steve Meehan
Forwards Coach – Anthony Mathison
Skills Coach – Graeme Moffat
Defense Coach – Callum Gibbins
