Canada to host June Tests
History will be made on June 11, as Vancouver hosts 19th seeded Canada against 10th ranked Japan. A week later, a Test match returns to Calgary for the first time since 2005 as Canada will face 18th ranked Russia on June 18.
The series finishes in Toronto on June 26 with a World Cup rematch against Italy.
"These are crucial matches for Canada and a great opportunity for the players and new coach to come together and test themselves at the highest level. The Japan match is particularly meaningful as they are Canada's traditional rivals and presents the opportunity to compete against them in the confines of the fabulous BC Place.
"This venue is potentially the future home of rugby on the west coast and the players are relishing the opportunity," Rugby Canada's Director of Commercial and Program Relations said.
June's game against Japan will be the 25th time the two sides have met. They most recently met last summer in the opening fixture of the Pacific Nations Cup with Japan winning 20-6 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California.
Canada has not beaten Japan since May 2005 when they collected a 15-10 win in Tokyo as part of the Super Cup, where debutants Dean van Camp and Brodie Henderson scored a try each. Since then, the two sides have met seven times, including at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups where they played to 12-12 and 20-20 draws respectively.
Canada have registered wins over Uruguay and Brazil in their 2016 Americas Championship campaign where they have re-established a gritty Canadian style under interim head coach Francois Ratier. Canada concludes its ARC campaign on Saturday against Chile in Santiago.
A number of domestic players thrived in the Test match environment during the ARC and those performances have put them in contention for selection along with a number of Canada's returning overseas professionals.
In three previous contests, Canada has never lost to Russia. The two sides first met in Burnaby in 2009 with Canada winning 22-3 before picking up a 34-18 win in England, as part of the 2011 Churchill Cup. Their most recent match-up came in 2012 when Canada won 35-3 in Wales, as part of their November tour where Jeff Hassler had a pair of tries.
"We're also incredibly excited to return to Calgary. We saw last year the local passion for rugby during the Canadian Championship Final and Women's Super Series when more than 5,000 fans were in attendance," Rees said.
Canada and Italy have met eight times since their inaugural clash in 1983 with Canada winning twice. Italy has won the last five match ups – including a 25-16 victory in June 2012 – and are currently ranked 14th in the world.
"This will be Canada's first opportunity to play at BMO since the stadium enhancements. It is always a great experience for fans and the team is motivated to set the record straight after our last loss against Italy and the most recent World Cup match, which most feel was a missed opportunity for an upset," he added.
Upcoming fixtures:
Americas Rugby Championship
March 5: Canada v Chile
June Series
June 11: Canada v Japan
June 18: Canada v Russia
June 26: Canada v Italy
November Tour
November 12: Ireland v Canada
