EDMONTON – As the crisp July air sweeps across Commonwealth Stadium, Canadian rugby fans find themselves at the dawn of a new era. Stephen Meehan, just four months into his tenure as head coach, unveiled his first official roster yesterday for the upcoming test match against Belgium.
Walking through the stadium during yesterday’s training session, I watched as Meehan, clipboard in hand, directed his newly assembled squad with the measured confidence of someone who understands the weight of rebuilding a program. “This roster represents both where Canadian rugby stands today and where we’re headed,” Meehan told me, gesturing toward the players running drills across the pitch.
The 26-man roster features a blend of veteran leadership and promising youth that has sparked cautious optimism among the rugby faithful. Captain Harry Jones returns to anchor the squad after recovering from the knee injury that sidelined him during last year’s Pacific Nations Cup. His experience will be crucial for what many are calling Canada’s youngest national side in a decade.
“We’re balancing experience with development,” Meehan explained. “Seventeen of these players have fewer than ten caps, but that’s by design. The 2027 World Cup qualification begins next year, and we need to build depth now.”
The roster includes five uncapped players, most notably 21-year-old scrum-half Devon Williams from the Toronto Arrows, whose lightning-quick service caught everyone’s attention during the MLR season. Williams told CP24 he “couldn’t sleep for two days” after receiving Meehan’s call.
Rugby Canada technical director Kingsley Jones praised the selection process, noting that Meehan watched over 40 matches in person since February. “Stephen’s approach has been methodical. He’s prioritized players who can execute the game plan we believe gives Canada the best chance to climb back up the world rankings.”
That game plan, according to inside sources, focuses on speed and adaptability – a shift from the forward-dominant approach favored by previous coaching regimes. The selection of six players under 23, including Williams and the explosive BC Bears winger Jack Carson, signals this tactical evolution.
Veterans have noticed the change too. “It’s a different energy,” said 37-cap flanker Michael Smith. “The sessions are more intense, more detailed. There’s no room for coasting.”
The Belgium match, scheduled for Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium, represents more than just Meehan’s coaching debut. For Rugby Canada, it’s the first step in a rebuild aimed at qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup after the heartbreak of missing the 2023 tournament – the first time Canada failed to qualify since the competition began.
According to the latest World Rugby rankings, Canada sits 23rd, just four spots ahead of Belgium. “Rankings don’t tell the whole story,” Meehan cautioned. “Belgium has improved dramatically in the last three years. Their victory over Portugal in March wasn’t a fluke.”
Local support for the match has surprised organizers. Commonwealth Stadium officials report over 12,000 tickets sold as of yesterday – nearly double the attendance of Canada’s last home fixture against Chile in 2023. Edmonton’s sizeable rugby community has embraced the match, with youth clinics scheduled throughout the week leading up to Saturday.
“Alberta has always been a stronghold for rugby development,” noted provincial rugby director Sandra McCarthy. “Having the national team here inspires the next generation. We’ve had over 300 kids register for the pre-match clinics.”
The financial implications of this fixture aren’t lost on Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Hirayama either. “International matches are our lifeblood,” he explained during yesterday’s press conference. “The revenue from this series directly supports our grassroots programs and high-performance pathways.”
The selection hasn’t been without controversy. The omission of Vancouver Knights standout prop Thomas Reid raised eyebrows among provincial rugby insiders. Reid led all Canadian props in MLR performance metrics this season but was left off the roster in favor of less experienced options.
When asked about Reid’s absence, Meehan remained diplomatic. “Selection decisions are never easy. Thomas remains in our wider plans, but for this specific matchup, we’ve gone with the front row combinations we believe will be most effective.”
Weather forecasts suggest perfect conditions for Saturday’s encounter – 18°C and partly cloudy – ideal for the fast-paced game Meehan hopes to implement. According to team sources, the squad completed their first full-contact session yesterday without injuries, a welcome development after last month’s training camp saw three players sidelined with minor strains.
For Edmonton businesses, the match represents a welcome mid-summer boost. Local pub owner Melissa Chen has decorated her establishment with rugby memorabilia and created a special Belgian-Canadian fusion menu for the weekend. “Any international sporting event brings people downtown,” Chen said. “We’ve been fully booked since the fixture was announced.”
As Saturday approaches, Meehan appears focused yet relaxed. “The real work happens before match day,” he said, watching his players file onto the team bus. “By Saturday, these men will know exactly what’s expected of them. Then it’s about execution and heart.”
For Canadian rugby fans, Saturday represents more than just a test match – it’s the first glimpse of a potential renaissance under Meehan’s guidance. Whether that promise materializes remains to be seen, but for now, there’s a palpable sense of possibility in the Edmonton air.
