Langford, BC (January 29, 2020) – Rugby Canada has announced the 2020 summer fixtures for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team with matches to be played across Canada, including two July internationals as well as two matches in the newly restructured America’s Rugby Championship (ARC) in August. The summer fixtures will bring international rugby to Montreal for the first time and to Winnipeg for the first time since 1993. The match in Winnipeg this year coincides with "Manitoba 150 " celebrating the 150th anniversary of Manitoba becoming Canada’s fifth province. Canada last played an international test match in Halifax in 2018 versus USA, while the City of Calgary last hosted an international match in 2017 when Canada took on Georgia.

Canada will open competition on July 4 against the famed French Barbarians in Montreal and will then head east to take on Italy in Halifax on July 11. Canada will be looking to bounce back against the Six Nations squad, falling to Italy in their first match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Kicking off the 2020 ARC in Glendale, Colorado against USA, Canada will return to home soil to face Brazil in Calgary on August 22 and Chile in Winnipeg on August 29. They’ll then travel to South America for the final two ARC matches against Argentina XV (September 5) and Uruguay (September 12).

“We are thrilled to bring these internationals to four different Provinces of our rugby community,” said Jamie Levchuk, Rugby Canada Managing Director of Events, Marketing & Communications. “By hosting games in diverse markets across the country, it exposes new fans and aspiring athletes to the highest level of rugby which is crucial for the continued growth of our sport in Canada.”

The summer fixture announcement comes as part of a greater restructuring of the international test window by World Rugby and participating unions as they work to accommodate the growing Major League Rugby (MLR) competition schedule. This has shifted the international summer test window from June into July and moved the ARC from February/ March into August/ September.

“While the new schedule sees a condensed international season, it provides an opportunity for players to play professionally in Major League Rugby and other professional leagues globally, ultimately helping to develop the caliber of our athletes,” said Rugby Canada’s General Manager of Rugby Operations, Dustin Hopkins.

This year marks the start of a new quadrennial, with the summer matches serving as the first tests for Canada as they build towards Rugby World Cup 2023.

“It’s an exciting start to the new quad,” said Director of Men’s Rugby and Head Coach, Kingsley Jones. “These summer fixtures are an opportunity for players coming up through the Under-20s and Pacific Pride, as well those who may have missed out on the 2019 Rugby World Cup, to come into the fold and gain crucial experience against some top competition.”

Further information, including ticket on-sale dates, additional venue details and kickoff times for all four home fixtures will be released in the coming weeks across Rugby Canada’s channels.

Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team’s July Schedule:

Canada vs. French Barbarians

July 4, 2020

Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard - Montreal, Quebec

Canada vs. Italy

July 11, 2020

Wanderers Grounds - Halifax, Nova Scotia

2020 Americas Rugby Championship upcoming schedule:

Americas Rugby Championship 2020 schedule

15 August

Argentina XV v Chile

USA v Canada

Uruguay v Brazil

22 August

Canada v Brazil- Calgary Rugby Park - Calgary, Alberta

Uruguay v Argentina XV

USA v Chile

29 August

Brazil v Argentina XV

Canada v Chile- Maple Grove Rugby Park - Winnipeg, Manitoba

USA v Uruguay

5 September

Argentina XV v Canada

Brazil v USA

Chile v Uruguay

12 September

Argentina XV v USA

Chile v Brazil

Uruguay v Canada

Rugby Canada is proud to present Canada’s Men’s XVs events in addition to their flagship HSBC Canada Sevens Tournaments in Vancouver, BC on March 7 & 8 and in Langford, BC on May 2 & 3. For tickets and more information on Canada Sevens, visit: www.canadasevens.com/tickets