Belgium edge Canada 25-18 in tight contest as Meehan era begins in Edmonton

Saturday, July 12, 2025 (Edmonton, AB) – A promising first showing under new head coach Stephen Meehan ended in a narrow defeat for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team, who fell 25-18 to Belgium in a hard-fought contest at Clarke Stadium on Saturday evening. 

Despite matching Belgium with three tries apiece and controlling long stretches of possession and territory, Canada were undone by a clinical Belgian counterattack and some crucial moments that didn’t fall their way. 

Wing Josiah Morra, hooker Andrew Quattrin and replacement Siôn Parry crossed the try line for the Canadians, who fielded a youthful squad that included test debuts for fullback Brenden Black and substitute Kyle Tremblay. Halifax’s Cooper Coats added a first-half penalty. 

Belgium – ranked one spot above Canada at No. 23 in the World Rugby Rankings heading into the match – made the most of limited opportunities, scoring three tries and adding a pair of late penalty goals from Hugo de Francq to keep the hosts at arm’s length. 

“It was a first run-out with the new setup we’re running, and it’s really exciting,” said second row Piers Von Dadelszen, who earned Teck Player of the Match honours. “There’s a lot we can take away from this – a few passes not sticking, and Belgium were awesome on the counterattack – but that’s how we want to play. We’re trying to bring a more exciting brand of rugby to Canadian fans, and we’re looking forward to it all coming together going forward.” 

Canada opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a penalty-kick from Coats, before Belgium responded with a converted try from centre Florian Remue, set up by a line-breaking run from his brother Matias. A clever chip from Coats over the top led to Morra’s first test try in the 22nd minute, but Belgium struck back three minutes later with a try of their own. 

Quattrin’s try from a rolling maul just past the half-hour mark gave Canada a narrow 13-12 lead at halftime, but the second half saw momentum swing repeatedly. A yellow card to Belgium's Remue appeared to give Canada the edge, but the visitors capitalized even while down a man, with Soenen finishing off a cross-field kick following an interception to restore their advantage. 

A pair of second-half penalties allowed Belgium to extend their lead, while Canada continued to press, eventually breaking through in the final play through Parry and ending the match with Canada’s third and final try.  

Captain Lucas Rumball acknowledged the disappointment post-match but struck a note of optimism. 

“We’re pretty gutted,” said Rumball. “We created some opportunities, but credit to Belgium – when we made mistakes, they capitalized. There’s a lot of potential here. We just have to get things right and keep building. Thanks to the fans here in Edmonton for coming out and supporting us.” 

Saturday’s match marked Belgium’s first-ever victory over Canada in four test meetings and their first time scoring points against the Canadians since 2021. 

Meehan handed opportunities to several emerging players, with only five members of the matchday 23 bringing more than 20 test caps into the game. The experience is expected to serve the group well as they continue building toward the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup. 

CANADA SCORING SUMMARY  
Tries: Josiah Morra (22’), Andrew Quattrin (32’), Sion Perry (80’) 
Penalty Goals: Cooper Coats (7’) 

UP NEXT FOR CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM  
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team will complete their two-match home series at Edmonton’s Clarke Stadium with a clash against Spain on Friday, July 18. Kick-off against the 16th-ranked Los Leones is scheduled for 7:00pm MT (9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT). Tickets are available for purchase HERE. 

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S MATCH DAY ROSTER VS BELGIUM   
1. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) - Bayside RFC / Old Glory DC    
2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) - Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks  
3. Cole Keith (Sussex NB) - Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks  
4. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) - New England Free Jacks  
5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) - Bayside RFC / Capilano RFC  
6. Matt Heaton (Godmanchester, QC) - Ormstown Saracens / RFC LA  
7. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) - Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds  
8. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) - Pacific Pride / Chicago Hounds  
9. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) - Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves  
10. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) - Halifax Tars RFC / NOLA Gold  
11. Josiah Morra (Scarborough, ON) - New England Free Jacks / Toronto Saracens  
12. Talon McMullin (White Rock, BC) - University of British Columbia  
13. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) - Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds  
14. Isaac Olson (Vernon, BC) - New England Free Jacks  
15. Brenden Black (Oakville, ON) - Oakville Crusaders / University of Guelph  

FINISHERS  
16. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) - Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves    
17. Foster Dewitt (Courtenay, BC) - New England Free Jacks / Westshore RFC  
18. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) - Winnipeg Wombats / New England Free Jacks  
19. Callum Botchar (Vancouver, BC) - James Bay AA / NOLA Gold    
20. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) - Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC  
21. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) - Cork Constitution / Chicago Hounds  
22. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NI) - Dungannon RFC  
23. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) - Bayside RFC / Pacific Pride