The COVID-19 outbreak has put an end to several North American international matches slated for the upcoming months, although USA Rugby is remaining hopeful that some late-summer contests will still be able to go ahead as scheduled.
In Canada, all rugby-related activities were suspended as of Monday, April 6th, and remain under indefinite suspension. These activities include minor, youth, adult and masters rugby, as well as coach, match official, medical and administration memberships.
Rugby Canada indicated that registration suspension will be lifted when they receive direction from relevant national and provincial health authorities that rugby activities can resume.
Across the border, USA Rugby announced that suspension of all sanctioned rugby activities will continue through the month of May. The organization also indicated that updates on a mapped-out return to play, as well as determination of whether any national championships will take place as planned will be provided by June 1st.
The USA Rugby national club championships are slated for June 6th. The USA Rugby 7s National Championship is scheduled for Aug. 8th.
Canada-USA International Series Scrapped
Rugby Canada’s men’s under-18 15s Summer Series versus the USA Rugby U18 that was originally scheduled for July 1-15, 2020 at Brentwood College School in Mill Bay, B.C. has been cancelled.
“We are very disappointed for the young athletes who were selected to play in this series against the USA this July,” Canadian U18 coach Mike Curran said in a statement. “Each player worked extremely hard to get to this level and we are excited to continue their development as elite rugby players.
“We thank USA Rugby for their partnership in preparing for this series, and we look forward to hosting matches at Brentwood College School in the future.”
USA Rugby and Rugby Canada will continue to monitor evolving public health mandates and are hoping to complete arrangements to schedule an international competition between the two under-18 sides when feasible and safe for all involved.
“Of course, we are disappointed that we will not have the opportunity to compete with our friends and rivals in the Canadian U18 team this summer,” said Brendan Keane, Director and Head Coach of the USA Boys U18s. “It is a highlight of the year for all involved and I know the players and staff were looking forward to the challenge and to experiencing the beauty of Vancouver Island.
“As we discuss frequently, however, we will seek to control what we can control by adapting to what we cannot, setting new targets and working to hit them.”
The two sides contested a four-test series last December in Chula Vista, California, with each country winning twice.
Historic Canada-France Showdown Shelved
Rugby Canada also confirmed cancellation of the international match versus the French Barbarians that was originally scheduled for July 4th, 2020 in Montreal. It would have been the first international rugby match ever contested in the famous Quebec locale.
“We were very much looking forward to playing an international match in Montreal,” Rugby Canada Men’s XV Head Coach Kingsley Jones said. “However, the safety of the teams, staff, fans, and the general public must remain Rugby Canada’s top priority.
“Our team looks forward to another future opportunity to play international rugby in Montreal.”
Much like the British side of the same name, the French Barbarians are a select side of players from the top French divisions. They were first formed in 1979.
The match was slated to be part of their now-cancelled North American tour, which also included a July 11th game against the USA. The global COVID-19 pandemic forced the French Barbarians to bring a halt to their 2020 summer tour.
“It was a very difficult decision but necessary in the current context,” explained Denis Charvet, vice-president of the French Barbarian Rugby Club. “We must all act so that the situation evolves positively and that we can resume our activities. And unfortunately, it goes through this cancellation.”
Canada’s July 11th international test match against Italy slated for Halifax was postponed earlier.
Americas Rugby Championship Not Ruled Out
The Americas Rugby Championship remains on the slate for now, although at this stage, whether the event will actually go ahead remains in doubt.
The six-nation tournament is slated for Aug. 15th through Sept. 12th and will feature the national sides of Canada, the USA, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, as well as Argentina XV, the side that is one notch below the Pumas.
Halloween Rugby Ticket Sales Halted
A four-nation series of rugby international matches slated for October at B.C. Place in Vancouver remain uncertain as to whether they will get the go ahead.
Ticket sales for the Oct. 30-31st Halloween Rugby Weekend were put on hold by Rugby Canada.
The tournament is to feature the national sides of Canada, the USA, Fiji and the New Zealand All Blacks XV, a second-tier national team squad.
Canada against the USA and Fiji facing the All Blacks XV are slated as opening-night matches on Oct. 30th.
England To Tour North America in 2021?
According to a story written by Will Kelleher of the Daily Mail, 2019 Rugby World Cup finalists England are set to make a North American tour next summer.
The English would face Canada and the USA in international matches sometime in July of 2021. These matches would take place at the same time as the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.
