Rumball set to become Canada's fourth-most capped player in Pacific Nations Cup third-place clash with USA

Lucas Rumball will make Canadian rugby history when he leads the side against the USA Eagles in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 third-place playoff in Tokyo, his appearance set to be his 70th cap and place him fourth on Canada’s all-time list.

Coach Stephen Meehan has named a reshuffled XV for the fixture, with openside flanker Sion Parry ruled out through injury. Ethan Fryer steps into the starting side, making his first appearance in the red jersey since returning from a lengthy injury layoff. Foster DeWitt reclaims the hooker’s jersey, Jesse Kilgour comes in at scrum-half, and Cooper Coats starts at fly-half after Spencer Jones, who wore the No. 10 shirt against Fiji, drops to the bench.

Rumball packs down in the back row alongside Fryer and Mason Flesch, who crossed for two tries in last weekend’s semi-final against Fiji — a match Canada lost despite posting 29 points on the ninth-ranked side. Darah Doyle and Izzak Kelly start at lock, with Sam Miller and Kyle Steeves completing the front row alongside DeWitt.

In the backs, 41-cap veteran Ben LeSage continues at inside centre, partnering Jacob Ince for the second consecutive match. Jamie Armstrong and Kyle Tremblay start on the wings, with Takoda McMullin retained at fullback. The No. 23 bench spot is yet to be confirmed.

Canada won the most recent meeting between the two sides, played approximately 13 months ago, giving Meehan’s squad confidence heading into a fixture that offers the chance to finish third in the tournament.