Rugby Canada is pleased to announce that\u00a0Stephen Meehan will\u00a0continue to lead\u00a0Canada\u2019s Men\u2019s Rugby Team through the end of 2028, seeing the squad through the\u00a0Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup 2027 and\u00a0the organization\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a02028\u00a0LA\u00a0Olympics, subject to qualification.<\/p>\n
June 4, 2026 (Langford, BC) \u2014 Rugby Canada is pleased to announce that Stephen Meehan will continue to lead Canada\u2019s Men\u2019s Rugby Team through the end of 2028, seeing the squad through the Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup 2027 and the organization through the 2028 LA Olympics, subject to qualification.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m very happy to continue with the team. You know, having had 12 months with Rugby Canada now, I\u2019ve got a better understanding of the interconnected rugby landscape across the country,\u201d said Stephen Meehan, Head Coach of Canada\u2019s Men\u2019s Rugby Team. \u201cNow that we\u2019ve qualified [for the Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup 2027], it will be great to take the team through the entirety of that tour. There are some big moments around the corner for us, and we’ve got some great challenges in there as well, but all in all, it\u2019s an exciting time to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prior to his tenure at Rugby Canada, Meehan enjoyed 17-years of elite global coaching experience that ranged from a five-season tenure as Head Coach of Bath where he captured a European Challenge Cup title, the French Top 14 with Stade Fran\u00e7ais and Toulon and Australia’s Super Rugby circuits.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are grateful that Stephen has chosen to continue to develop this program and share his expertise across our Men’s Senior National Team, Sevens and Age-Grade programs\u2014exemplifying our One Squad philosophy,\u201d said Nathan Bombrys, CEO of Rugby Canada. \u201cWith the Nations Cup kicking-off in Edmonton in July, we have the perfect opportunity on home soil for Stephen, his staff and our National Team players to build toward the Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
A key part of Meehan\u2019s portfolio was the qualification for the Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup 2027 which the team achieved last June after previously missing qualification for the 2023 tournament for the first time since 1987. After leading the team to the semi-finals in The Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2025, the squad would officially qualify after Japan defeated the USA to slot them in the 21st spot of the newly extended 24-team Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup format.<\/p>\n
While Meehan\u2019s main duties primarily lie with Canada\u2019s Men\u2019s Rugby Team, the head coach has been busy embracing the rugby community by attending a Rugby Ontario\u2019s Men\u2019s Senior Interbranch match, coaching at a U20s camp, supporting at the April 17 session at the Regional Training Centre Ottawa, presented by Raymond James Ltd. and stepping in as an assistant coach for Canada\u2019s Men\u2019s Sevens Team during Vancouver SVNS 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cRugby Canada has quality players in our senior programs who have the skill set and desire to compete in both of our Sevens and XVs programs,\u201d said Shawn Bullock, High Performance Director of Rugby Canada. \u201cTherefore, strong collaboration between coaches and their respective staff\u2019s, similar to what we\u2019ve seen implemented in our senior women\u2019s programs, will be paramount for on-field success in the upcoming Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup 2027 and our efforts to qualify Canada Men\u2019s Sevens Team for the LA2028 Olympics.\u201d<\/p>\n