Le Rouge Rugby Podcast

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 the Canadians finished the tournament in second.Back in North America, the 2025 MLR regular season has concluded. The lads look at the teams that made it to the playoffs, as they make their predictions for who will lift the Shield in Rhode Island.

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 friendly series in Ireland with a loss, and the men's began their Oceania U20s Men's Championship with a win over Samoa.

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, attention turns towards the Canadian women, as the U20s start off their friendly series against ireland with a win, and the Black Ferns look to pull out all the stops to reclaim their Pacific Four Series crown.

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 & Sunday, LA hosted the Championship final of the SVNS, with both Canadian teams taking part in different tournaments; the women were in the Championship pool, looking to become World Champions. Up against 2 of the ebst teams in the world, Canada fought back to make it to the Bronze final, beating the hosts to take a medal from the series.The men, meanwhile, were in the Relegation Pool...or were they? With a sudden change to next season's SVNS announced, the Men were now competing to appear in Division 2? Either way, despite their best efforts, the men came up short, and will have to go through this whole rigamarole again, in an aim to make the World Championships next season.True North, Strong & Free!

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 world, while the men will be in the Play-Offs, and rejoin the SVNS series next year.The lads then conclude with the recent goings on in Major League Rugby, including the location of the 2025 Grand Final!

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.

Stu and Derek react to the news that Kingsley Jones is no longer Canada's head coach! Then, they wish everyone a Merry Kitmas and make their picks for the best MLR jerseys in 2025! Finally, what can the rugby world learn from Ilona Maher's success?

On this episode of Le Rouge Rugby, Stu and Derek sit down with the Silver Medal winning coach of Rugby Canada's Women's Sevens team, Jack Hanratty! They dive into how Jack got into rugby, beginning his coaching career out of high school, coming to Canada, the Olympics, the Ottawa Gee Gees, and more!

Stu and Derek react to Canada's loss to Romania and recap the CUMRC!

Canada lost to Chile, but why should we care?

Stu and Derek react to Canada's loss to the Red Roses and look ahead to the 2025 Rugby World Cup

Stu and Derek react to Canada's win over Ireland at WXV before diving into the new World Rugby laws.

Stu and Derek breakdown Canada's opening match of the WXV!

With Derek away, Stu gives you a quick rundown on the Dallas Jackals departure from MLR, Canada vs Tonga, and tees up the WXV!

Stu and Derek react to Canada's losses to Japan and USA at the Pacific Nations Cup

Stu and Derek react to Canada's Silver medal performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games! Plus the Free Jacks are back to back MLR Champions!

Stu and Derek react to Canada's win over Romania in the nation's capital!

Stu and Derek take a deep dive into Canada's 73-12 loss to Scotland over the weekend.

Derek is back from helping the Glasgow Warriors win the URC Championship! The boys take a look at a busy month in Canadian Rugby! The Vancouver Highlanders played their first two games, the Sevens team fails to qualify for the Olympics, the squad for the Ottawa series has been announced, new kits, a star player is injured long-term, and a recap of the Coast-to-Coast Cup.

With only a few days until their opening double header, Stu sits down with FOUR players for the Vancouver Highlanders - Melani Nanai, D'Shawn Bowen, Cole Kelly, & Josh Thiel - to discover their rugby roots, what attracted them to the Highlanders, and who they're looking forward to playing in this year's Rugby Players' Challenge.

With Derek off in Europe for rugby reasons, Stu is joined by the MLR Stats man, James Deeley, totalk about the 2024 MLR season, and the results from the SVNS Grand Final in Madrid.

Stu and Derek react to Canada's historic 22-19 win over the Black Ferns to claim the Pacific 4 Series Championship!

Stu and Derek breakdown the Arrows Academy vs Atlantic Privateers match! Then, they look at the biggest news stories from the past week including a new Coast to Coast Cup format, Canada vs Australia, SVNS, Ottawa ticket promotions, new Highlanders signings, and more.

On this episode, Stu and Derek are joined by Tim Matthews and Jamie Cudmore of the Toronto Arrows Sr. Academy. They take a deep dive into how the Academy is able to continue after the MLR club folded, coaching, recruiting, player evaluation, and more. Then, it's a look at the East Coast Rugby Championship ,which begins with the Academy taking on the Atlantic Privateers this Saturday!

On this episode, Stu and Derek break down Canada's 50-7 win over USA to open the Pacific 4 Series and the new Vancouver Highlanders kit.

Stu and Derek return to break down all the latest Canadian rugby news including a new board, the Pacific Four Series roster, strategic plans, and more.

The show opens with a brief X-Men chat before discussing the latest news surrounding the Toronto Arrows Senior Academy. Then, Stu and Derek offer up their picks for the Top Six storylines over the first six weeks of the Major League Rugby season.

On the 201st episode, Stu and Derek say "thank you" and reflect on the first 5 years of Le Rouge Rugby! Then the boys recap the biggest news stories in Canadian rugby including reaction to the ARN article about a new RWC qualifying process, Christiaan Esterhuizen was named head coach of Pacific Pride, Maple Leaf 7s, the East Coast Rugby Championship, the national wheelchair rugby team, and a lot of Vancouver Highlanders news!

Le Rouge Rugby reaches the 200 episode milestone and we brought Dallas Jackals centre Mitch Richardson on to help us celebrate! We dive into Richardson's start in rugby, being a day 1 Arrow, joining the Jackals, playing for Canada for the first time, Call of Duty, and so much more!

Stu and Derek recap an epic weekend for rugby in North America! There was plenty of Rugby news, but the best part was obviously the games! First the boys look at back-to-back SVNS stops in Vancouver and LA! Then, the MLR returned to action and Canadians were putting on a show!

It is the opening round of the 2024 Major League Rugby season! To mark the occasion, Stu and Derek are joined by Chicago Hounds flanker Lucas Rumball! The boys dive into a variety of topics including the new Rugby Canada test schedule, the best places to eat ramen, Rumball's favourite memories as a Toronto Arrow (may include another ramen based discussion), joining the the Chicago Hounds, and the week 1 match up with the Miami Sharks!

Stu and Derek are back to breakdown all the latest Canadian rugby news! They discuss a new CBA with Rugby Canada and the players, Pacific Four Series updates, online treatment of match officials, Sophie de Goede arrives at Vancouver SVNS, Vancouver Swans, Vancouver Highlanders, and more!

Stu and Derek give an update about the new Le Rouge Rugby podcast schedule! Then, it has been a busy news week in Canadian rugby. The boys get into the Pacific Four Series, a new women's competition, SVNS, wheelchair rugby, the American Raptors, MLR news, Highlanders' signings and more! Finally, Stu and Derek close out this episode with spoiler heavy review of the new Netflix series, Six Nations: Full Contact!

Stu and Derek dust off the mics and return from their holiday break! The boys dive into all the news they missed while they were away including Christmas gifts, the Rugby Canada strategic plan, Phil Mack promoted to attack coach, the sevens series, a wild MLR off-season, kitmas, and all the Canadian player signings!

Stu and Derek are joined by Curry Hitchborn and Ralph McRae to discuss their new club, the Vancouver Highlanders. The Highlanders aim to "advance the personal and professional development of the person through Rugby Union". Hitchborn and McRae discuss their Ten Commitments, the Rugby Players Challenge, the setup of the club, and what they are trying to achieve. Plus the origin of the logo, Gladiator, and dream opponents for the Highlanders.

The Toronto Arrows are folding. Stu and Derek give their instant reactions to the incredibly sad news.

Stu and Derek recap a busy weekend in Canadian rugby! First, the boys take a deep dive into Canada's 40-15 victory over Brazil to close out their 2023 test schedule. Then, Wheelchair Rugby Canada is dominating at the ParaPan Am Games, the latest Arrows signings, reality tv, the new MLR playoff format, Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship, and more!

In the first match after Rugby Canada re-signed Kingsley Jones, the men's national team loses Spain 40-22. Stu and Derek let out their frustrations with...well, just about everything. Then, they look at some Arrows signings and key departures before making some Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship predictions (that have already gone horribly wrong).

Stu and Derek open the show by discussing how World Rugby's ban on unofficial content is hurting game. Then it's on to New Zealand where Canada defeated France in the final round of WXV! The Arrows made some big re-signings and MLR made a big signing of their own!

The Springboks defeated the All Blacks 12-11 to win their 4th Rugby World Cup! Stu and Derek give their thoughts on the game and the Springboks' place in history. It was a busy week in Major League Rugby with plenty of Canadian player movement, a new Arrows coach, and the news of a change in format for 2024. In Rugby Canada news, the women's team lost to England in round 2 of WXV and the men's team announced the squad for the series in Spain.

It was a massive week of rugby news and the boys are here to break it all down! Wheelchair Rugby Canada won a silver medal at the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup! Jamie Cudmore is the new head coach of Top Gun, as Cory Hector moves to back to the MLR squad! Canada defeated Wales in the first match of WXV! Sophie de Goede is the greatest rugby player in the world! Stu and Derek reveal their strategies for watching a 2am start vs England on Friday! The new Nations Championship sucks! Oh, and the Rugby World Cup is happening!

The boys react to Rugby Canada extending Kingsley Jones' contract for another 2 years! The Arrows made some signings and we think the Rugby World Cup is still happening, but this episode is a Kingsley Jones rant.

Stu and Derek break down the latest group of Arrows signings and other news from across the MLR! The Rugby Network has a new subscription service, but it may not be in Canada. The Rugby World Cup is expanding to 24 teams. What does that mean for Canada? Finally, the boys predict the quarter-finals of the RWC!

Stu and Derek take a deep dive into Canada's 29-12 loss to the Red Roses in the WXV warm-up match. Derek explains why he hates the bunker before the boys get into Rugby Canada and MLR news. Finally, it is off to France for the latest RWC reaction and final group stage predictions.

Stu and Derek recap all the action at in France as the Rugby World Cup heats up. Canada falls to the Red Roses in a WXV warm up match. The Arrows re-sign Mitch Richardson and Jack McRogers. The boys then discuss the current state of Rugby World Cup coverage in Canada.

Stu and Derek react to South Africa joining Canada in the Olympic repechage tournament, Rugby World Cup results, Sam Malcolm re-signing, a classy move from the NOLA Gold, big MLR trades, new stadiums, and Stu's proposal for a major law change MLR.