Canada ring the changes as trio return for Pacific Nations Cup opener

Canada coach Stephen Meehan has made eight changes to the side that was beaten by Japan last weekend in Niigata, with three players set to make their long-awaited returns in the Asahi Super Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2026 opener.

Following the 45-point defeat to the Brave Blossoms, Meehan has selected a side that includes Austin Creighton and Emerson Prio, who haven’t played for Canada since the 2025 PNC third-place playoff against Tonga.

Ethan Fryer has also been named in the matchday 23 for the first time since suffering a fractured skull 670 days ago. Fryer last featured for the Canadian national team on November 9, 2024, and has worked hard to get back to this level.

In the starting side, Dewald Kotze will pack down in place of Foster DeWitt at hooker, with Creighton providing cover on the bench. 31-Test scrum-half Jason Higgins has been brought into the run-on side, partnering Spencer Jones in the halves.

Jamie Armstrong has been brought into the First XV for the first time, after debuting for Canada against Japan a week ago. There was one other change to the run-on side, with Jacob Ince lining up at outside centre.

The rest of the starting side remains fairly consistent, with Sam Miller packing down alongside Kotze and Kyle Steeves up front. Three-Test lock Daragh Doyle combines with Izzak Kelly in the second row for the second time in as many weeks.

Coach Meehan has stuck with the same backrow trio, with 68-Test veteran Lucas Rumball leading the charge as the No. 8. Mason Flesch will again line up at blindside flanker, with Sion Parry the other loose forward.

Ben LeSage is the most-capped back in the Canada squad, and the inside centre has been retained in the run-on side. LeSage partners Ince in the midfield, with Armstrong and Kyle Tremblay on the wings, and Takoda McMullin at fullback.

They will be a very different challenge to the one that we faced against Japan. Japan’s very well-organised and diligent and disciplined in the way that they play. Fiji have that ability to call on their physical attributes and throw that ball around in all sorts of fashions.

“We know that they’re in a position at the moment where they are with an interim head coach, we know that Fiji’s advertised for a head coach, and they’ve brought in a new defensive coach for this tour so I’m not sure how much of an impact Dave Ellis can have in a week or two with them,” coach Meehan told reporters this week.

“You always expect a free-spirited display and a challenge that comes in different ways every time you play a Fijian side.

“There’s a couple of things that we can do to try and negate what they are, what they want to do. If we’re disciplined and stick with our plan, I think we can frustrate them for long periods over the course of the weekend. If we can do that, we might be able to get our attacking game into gear and see what we can do to disrupt them.

“The key message with these teams is always to expect the unexpected. You must remain diligent and disciplined with your defensive game.”

Canada team to take on Fiji

1. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Benfica SL (8 caps)

2. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Rotherham Titans (16 caps)

3. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg Wombats / Hunter Wildfires (9 caps)

4. Daragh Doyle (Québec City, QC) –?Clontarf FC (3 caps)

5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / SL Benfica (17 caps)

6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (24 caps)

7. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC (20 caps)

8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds (68 caps)

9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution (31 caps)

10. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys (18 caps)

11. Jamie Armstrong (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish?(1 cap)

12. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks (40 caps)

13. Jacob Ince (Oakville, ON) – Guelph Gryphons / Taranaki Rugby (3 caps)

14. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC (8 caps)

15. Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside RFC (8 caps)

Replacements

16. Austin Creighton –?Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Cobras Brasil (3 caps)

17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC (8 caps)

18. Bryce Worden (Sussex, NB) – Burnaby Lake RFC / West Harbour Rugby Club (1 cap)

19. Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Camborne RFC (3 caps)

20. Ethan Fryer (Issaquah, WA) – Eastside Lions RFC / Peñarol Rugby (5 caps)

21. Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Toronto City RC / University of British Columbia (3 caps)

22. TBD

23. Josh McIndoe (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / UVIC Vikes (2 caps)