It is a notable occasion anytime the Langford-based Canadian men’s rugby team gets to play a Six Nations side, which Canada will do Saturday at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa against Scotland.
Canada announced its roster Wednesday with Lucas Rumball selected as captain. Rumball acknowledged several of the Scotland stars are remaining home but that it will still be a level up against the No. 6-ranked team in the world.
“Even without some of their well-known players, Scotland is still a quality side with players coming from high leagues around the world, and this is a step up for us,” said Rumball.
Kingsley Jones of Sooke, head coach of world No. 21 Canada, concurred: “They [Scotland] are bringing good, experienced players and this is going to be a tough challenge. Everyone is prepared for the step up. We need to establish ourselves in the game.”
The Canadian team has been brought together mostly with players from Major League Rugby for a Test that Jones sees as the beginning of the build-up to the 2027 World Cup, for which the qualifying process begins next year.
Asked if he was a rah-rah captain in the dressing room or more of a quiet leader, Rumball replied: “I am a mixture of both. I get the boys to build themselves up, to be leaders themselves. I’ve been working on how to speak to and react to the guys. It’s a balanced approach.”
Five freshman senior internationals could earn their first caps for Canada coming off the bench, including James Stockwood and Jesse Mackail from the Langford-based Pacific Pride U-23 Development Academy. One of them could become the 500th player to earn a cap for Canada, depending on when they enter the game.
“The Pride serves its purpose,” said Canadian bench-boss Jones.
