Rugby Canada
30 East Beaver Creek Rd Suite 110
Richmond Hill, Ontario
L4B 1J2

Rugby Canada
3024 Glen Lake Road
Langford, British Columbia
V9B 4B4

Why is there not much rugby on TV in Canada? Does Rugby Canada control what is shown on Canadian cable?

Rugby Canada is only responsible for national men’s and women’s teams matches that have been produced through broadcast agreements with a particular broadcast partner. Any other rugby broadcasts are solely the decision of the rights holders, regardless if Canada is involved in a contest. For example if a game involving Canada in Europe is being broadcast by the host country, Rugby Canada has no control over what rates or to which network would be able to show the game on Canadian television. Generally the rates asked for by foreign broadcasters are prohibitive and thus games involving Canada do not air in Canada. Decisions about the World Cup 2007 fall under a similar vein, as there are rights holders for this region, and they control who will show the games and for how much. Currently Setanta Sports in the US zone holds North American rights, though it remains unclear if another broadcaster will partner with Setanta to show the World Cup in Canada. We will keep fans advised of the situation as it develops.

Who do I contact for matters concerning player registration, player transfers and payment of Rugby Canada registration fees?

Please contact Neil MacDougall, Coordinator of Member Relations, who can be contacted by e-mail at nmacdougall@rugbycanada.ca or by phone at 905 707-8998 x 226. The Rugby Canada fax number is 905-707-9707.

I would like to contact a national team player. How do I do this?

Send an e-mail to either bkelly@rugbycanada.ca or mtidcombe@rugbycanada.ca and we will forward this to the player in question. 

What goes on in the scrum?

To the beginner, one of the most baffling aspects of Rugby is the scrummage. The 16 forwards, 8 from each team, bind together in a packed shoving mass. The object of the set scrum is to get play started after a stoppage for a minor infraction. The ball is put into the tunnel between the opposing packs of forwards by the scrum half. The player in the middle of the front row, the "hooker", attempts of heel the ball to his backs standing behind the scrum to start a new running play.

What is the scoring system in rugby?

TRY: 5 points. Like a touchdown in Canadian Football, but the player must touch the ball to the ground on or over the goal line. CONVERSION: 2 points. A place kick or drop kick (the ball touches the ground before the kicker's boot touches it) after a try, take from a point along a line at right angles to the goal line form the spot at which the try was scored. The ball must go over the bar and between the uprights to score. PENALTY GOAL: 3 points. A free kick over the bar. The penalty kick for goal can be a place kick or a drop kick. DROP KICK: 3 points. A drop kick over the bar that can be kicked by any player at any time during the course of play. PENALTY TRY: 5 points: Awarded at the referee's discretion, usually when the defending team illegally interferes with play causing the attackers to miss a certain try.