‘Outstanding’ Kévin Rouet extends Rugby Canada contract until 2030

Rugby Canada have extended the contract of head coach and director of women’s rugby Kévin Rouet until the end of 2030.

The 39-year-old Frenchman, who took charge in 2022, guided Canada to the final of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, where they finished runners-up.

Rouet’s contract extension has been announced on the eve of Canada’s latest WXV Global Series clash with the Red Roses at Toronto’s BMO Field.

Friday’s clash is expected to set a new attendance record for a standalone women’s rugby match in North America, with more than 18,000 supporters set to attend at Toronto’s BMO Field.

Since Rouet took charge of Canada, he has a 31-12-2 record and helped the side to a first-ever win against the Black Ferns.

Canada also held second place in the World Rugby rankings for an extended period of time before New Zealand leapfrogged them at this year’s Pacific Four Series.

“Kévin has done an outstanding job leading our women’s programmes, highlighted by Canada’s historic run to the Rugby World Cup final in 2025 and the team’s sustained position among the top teams in the world since he stepped into the role in 2022,” Nathan Bombrys, CEO of Rugby Canada, said.

“His leadership has been world-class, and we are pleased to extend Kévin’s contract through 2030. As both the head coach and director of women’s rugby, his leadership will put our women in the best position to succeed at the LA Olympics in 2028 and the next Rugby World Cup in 2029.”

One of Rouet’s most significant introductions to Rugby Canada has been the ‘One Squad’ philosophy.

This philosophy has seen players move more freely between the 15-a-side and seven-a-side setups, which has coincided with Canada’s international success.

Rouet also spent last season as an assistant coach at Saracens, helping the club win the JAECOO Premiership Women’s Rugby title.

Retaining Rouet provides Canada with continuity as they build towards the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.

Rouet said, “I am very excited for the opportunity to continue coaching this team for the next four years. We have grown so much as a group since I began in 2022, and I am excited to see what our teams and players can achieve as we build towards the 2028 Olympics and the 2029 Rugby World Cup.

“I also look forward to continuing to help develop the high-performance pathway for women’s rugby in Canada. It’s going to be an exciting next cycle.”