November 6, 2025 (Bucharest, Romania) — Head Coach Stephen Meehan has named the match day roster for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team ahead of this Saturday’s Cernavodă Cup clash against Romania.
Romania will host Canada at Stadionul Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest on Saturday, November 8 at 7:00 a.m. PT / 10:00 a.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. local time. The two nations last met twice in 2024, with Canada winning 35–22 in Ottawa before Romania edged Canada 35–27 later that year in Bucharest.
In recognition of Remembrance Day, Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team will wear custom jerseys featuring a poppy on the left sleeve, honouring the sacrifices of those who have served and reflecting on the significance of remembering their courage, commitment, and legacy.
This weekend marks several new combinations for Canada. Sam Miller, who debuted against Romania in 2024, will earn his first international start following a season with Southern Districts Rugby Club in Australia. Robbie Povey, returning to the national team for the first time since 2023, will start at fly half, with Peter Nelson named at fullback. Kyle Tremblay, who earned his first cap against Belgium in July, will make his first start in the No.12 jersey.
Veteran prop Matt Tierney returns to the lineup for the first time since 2021 and will come off the bench wearing No.18, bringing valuable experience back into the squad. Barnaby Waddell is in contention to make his international debut, named on the bench in the No. 19 jersey.
Peter Nelson is also nearing a personal milestone, entering the match with 198 career points. With two more points, he will reach 200 and continue to build on his position as the seventh-highest point scorer in Canadian Men’s Rugby history.
“We faced Romania twice in 2024, and we’re eager to embrace that challenge again — especially with the Cernavodă Cup at stake. It’s a meaningful trophy and an important benchmark for where we want our game to progress,” said Head Coach Stephen Meehan.
“We have players returning to the squad who’ve brought renewed energy and enthusiasm. The ten-day preparation period has been instrumental in strengthening cohesion, sharpening our combinations, and reinforcing how we want to operate as a squad. Our objective remains clear: to continue developing our ability to adapt week to week, respond to the different styles, conditions and challenges each opponent presents, and advance our identity.”
“The squad has applied itself well, and we’re looking forward to demonstrating that in Bucharest on Saturday.”
Saturday’s match marks the second edition of the Cernavodă Cup. Canada will look to claim the trophy, which celebrates decades of Romanian-Canadian collaboration in the nuclear energy sector.
For nearly 50 years, the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant — home to two Canadian-designed CANDU reactors — has been a central pillar of the bilateral relationship between the two nations. The plant remains the largest and most significant joint project undertaken by Canada and Romania. Today, its two operational CANDU units provide approximately 18% of Romania’s total electricity, delivering safe, reliable, and affordable power with zero CO₂ emissions.
CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S ROSTER VS ROMANIA
1. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Southern Districts (1 Cap)
2. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves (10 Caps)
3. Cole Keith (Sussex, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks (41 Caps)
4. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – New England Free Jacks (10 Caps)
5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Capilano RFC (10 Caps)
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (17 Caps)
7. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds (62 Caps)
8. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Chicago Hounds (14 Caps)
9. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves (9 Caps)
10. Robbie Povey (Calgary, AB) – Rotherham Titans / Utah Warriors (17 Caps)
11. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – New England Free Jacks / Toronto Saracens (11 Caps)
12. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Westshore RFC (1 Cap)
13. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys / Utah Warriors (11 Caps)
14. Nic Benn (Caves Beach, AUS) – Utah Warriors (10 Caps)
15. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC (32 Caps)
FINISHERS
16. Austin Creighton (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / James Bay AA (1 Cap)
17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC / Utah Warriors (5 Caps)
18. Matt Tierney (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (27 Caps)
19. Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Bridgend Ravens (0 Caps)
20. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC (13 Caps)
21. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution / Chicago Hounds (25 Caps)
22. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (8 Caps)
23. Jack Shaw (Oakville, ON) – RFC LA / Castaway Wanderers (1 Cap)
Broadcast information will be announced shortly.
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Media Contacts
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