USA Rugby and Rugby Canada Entering into a High Performance Agreement

11.11.2026Int'l News, Eagles, College Men

Samu Manoa for USA against Canada in 2014. Photo David Barpal.

Author: GRR Staff

In a move of startling logic and something that should have positive ramifications for both nations in their pursuit of playing the game at an improved level, USA Rugby and Rugby Canada have entered into a four-year agreement establishing a fixed, recurring high-performance calendar.

The idea, which many in the game, including in the pages of GRR, have stated would be good for everyone, is aimed at elevating North American competition in the Men's and Women's high-performance pathways through to National Senior Teams.

Together, both Unions will establish annual fixtures and collaborative training camps for Men's U19 and U20, and Women's U20 and U21.

usa u18 2023 v canada ian muir 0123 — USA U18s vs Canada from 2023. Photo Ian Muir.

The plan is to strengthen athlete and coach development, improve program alignment and create a clear progression toward international-level performance.

The Men's and Women's senior national teams from both nations will play additional test fixtures on both sides of the border.

"This partnership with Rugby Canada is an exciting step forward for USA Rugby," said Tamara Sheppard, USA Rugby’s General Manager of High Performance.

"It strengthens competition and collaboration across our Senior 15s, Sevens programs, and Age Grade rugby while giving our players more opportunities to grow and compete at a high level. We’re delighted to be building these opportunities with Rugby Canada."

Shawn Bullock, High-Performance Director at Rugby Canada added, "This agreement secures a consistent annual schedule for all levels of our high performance pathway. Adding joint age grade programming and shared hosting ensures our players across all levels of our high-performance pathway receive consistent, high-level competition annually.”

“We look forward to this next chapter of growth in partnership with USA Rugby."

usa u20s v canada u20s women 2023 rugby canada 1 — Canada U20s vs USA U20s from 2021. Photo Rugby Canada.

This makes a ton of sense, of course. In North America there are two nations that are ranked anywhere near the top 15, and those two nations have a long and stories rivalry. USA and Canada have battled almost since the beginning. The men first played each other in 1977, a year after the USA RFU was established — the Eagles opened their modern international era with tests against Australia and then France.

Both the USA and Canada played test matches before the mid-1970s, but the frequency really started to pick up starting in 1976.

For the women, the 1987 test between the two was the first international for both the USA and Canada in the women's game.

But this is more than just the senior national teams. The agreement harkens back to 2019 when the USA All American men played Canadian Universities on the same day as USA vs Canada men, both at Glendale's Infinity Park. Age-grade teams have played each other, but unless the fixture has been mandated by World Rugby as some sort of qualifier, the rivalry's frequency has been spotty.

USA and Canada Women have played each other 48 times. After an early USA run, Canada has had the upper hand, including the last 11 straight, and leads the series 29-19.

USA and Canada Men have played each other 68 times, wth Canada winning 41, USA 25, and two ties. Since 2014, USA leads the series 13-3-1.