2024 Ottawa Series preview
The Canadian Men’s Senior XV return to the nation’s capital - their first home games since 2022 - to taken on European opposition, in the form of Scotland, and Romania. With both games at TD Place, this will be the first time Canada’s men’s team will have taken on Scotland since 2018, and Romania since 2017. On both occasions, those games were held in Edmonton, Alberta. Will there be a change of fortunes when the teams take to the field in Ontario? Let’s take a look…
Canada vs Scotland - July 6, KO at 17:00 ET
Scotland have faced Canada on 8 occasions in their history, yet only 5 times have been an official test match; their first encounter in 1991 was against a Scotland ‘A’ side. Of the 5 times they met in a capped occasion, one date stands out - June 15, 2002. The only time that Canada has beaten Scotland, with a 26-23 victory at Thunderbird Stadium. June 14, 2014 could have been another stand out date, but a dubious red card denied a second historic victory on home turf.
The teams will contest the Douglas Horn Trophy, named after the father of former Rugby Canada board member, Alan Horn. Douglas himself was born in Scotland, and emigrated to Canada, acquiring Canadian citizenship, while coaching rugby in his new homeland. Since the trophy’s inception in 2008, Scotland have held it ever since, contesting it once in Scotland, and twice in Canada. This upcoming match will mark the 4th time the sides will compete for the trophy, and you can expect it to remain with Scotland - the Scots are ranked 6th in the World, with Canada hovering at 21st. Rankings aside, since they last met, Canada have played 37 matches - Scotland have played 68!
Even with Scotland resting their usual starters this summer, you can expect this to be the first of many victories in their tour of the Americas.
Canada vs Romania - July 12, KO at 20:00 ET
Romania have had a rough few years; they were disqualified from the 2019 men’s Rugby World Cup, and were demolished by all opposition at the 2023 RWC. Still, at least they went to the RWC…
Canada has faced the Oaks 8 times before, but hasn't recorded a victory over them since 1995. There have been close encounters in 2013, and a heartbreaking one in 2015, but their last game in 2017 went decidedly the way of Romania. A lot can happen in 7 years, but neither team has much to brag about.
While Scotland is expected to be a rout, we can expect a closer fixture against Romania. Ranked 20th, they are only one place higher than Canada. Romania only scored 2 wins in the Rugby Europe Championship this season, so this could be a rare opportunity to get a win. Will Canada buck the trend in Ottawa this summer? We will have to wait and see…