Rugby Canada confirm cancellation of July 4th match versus French Barbarians in Montreal

April 10, 2020 (Montreal, QC) -- It is with regret that Rugby Canada confirm the cancellation of the international match versus the French Barbarians originally scheduled for July 4, 2020 in Montreal, QC.  The global COVID-19 pandemic has forced the French Barbarians to cancel their 2020 summer tour of North America.  Rugby Canada understand and support the decision to cancel and are hopeful they will be able to welcome the French Barbarians to Canada in the future.

Rugby Canada Men’s XV Head Coach Kingsley Jones said, “We were very much looking forward to playing an international match in Montreal against the prestigious French Barbarians.  However, the safety of the teams, staff, fans, and the general public must remain Rugby Canada’s top priority. We thank the French Rugby Federation and Barbarian Rugby Club for their partnership in preparing for this match, and our team looks forward to another future opportunity to play international rugby in Montreal.”

This match was set to be part of the ‘Babass’ now cancelled North American tour, which also included a July 11 game versus USA. 

"It was a very difficult decision but necessary in the current context,” explained Denis Charvet, vice-president of the French Barbarian Rugby Club.  “We must all act so that the situation evolves positively and that we can resume our activities. And unfortunately, it goes through this cancellation.  We thank the federations of the USA and Canada who had done everything to welcome us in the best conditions.”