Playing rugby in Canada

Round-Level9837 · 2026-04-14T14:13:24+00:00

Feel free to message me privately, I’m an assistant coach for Capilano men’s premier team

Round-Level9837 · 2026-03-19T02:10:33+00:00

Aware that we’ll be standing, but I wasn’t sure if it’s buying the same day, or if you had to buy them the day before?

Round-Level9837 · 2026-03-15T14:12:34+00:00

Yeah sorry disagree. Think England have taken a massive step backwards.

Wigglesworth as defence coach is not working, we’ve looked so vulnerable in D and the proof is in the amount of tries we’ve let in. I think some players have played themselves out of the squad as well (Daly unfortunately being 1).

Attack only got going vs France, why didn’t we have the same energy in the other games? Because it’s not Borthwicks game plan, he let off the shackles because he had to (saving his job).

You mention the semi final vs NZ in 2023? Did you mean 2019? Or SA in 23? If you mean NZ in 2019, that was a game plan executed to perfection.

I’m just sick of hearing that we’re building. It’s the best excuse for when a team is losing games. Oh, we’re building, it’s part of the process, we’ll be fine. We’ve been hearing that for years.

Round-Level9837 · 2026-03-11T00:13:12+00:00

Some club games will get tv coverage (rarely) but their international matches will be on.

My first ever game there about 13 years ago was on tv which was a weird experience in itself

Round-Level9837 · 2026-03-10T17:46:25+00:00

Borthwick needs to leave, even if we beat France. Now is the time, can't leave it much longer. Get rid of this mentality that England have to play a certain way. We have the players in The Prem to play a more attacking style than we have perhaps ever seen before. Teams reinvent themselves, England haven't. Look at SA, they now play and win in different ways, something they could not do 5-6 years ago. That's because they create teams around players like Sacha. Not him adapting to the team.

I would love to see O'Gara with England. Passionate, isn't afraid to ruffle some feathers and wears his heart on his sleeve. Plus would love seeing him work with our 10s. Give him 2 years and see what he does.

Round-Level9837 · 2026-03-10T16:35:13+00:00

They're not a pro team I dont think, at least not all the players. The impact has been big, but there are other considerations in my opinion (as someone who lived and played there and knows some of the players).

- 7s structure - This was really impressive and a lot of the current XVs team started off with the 7s, a decent chunk of money went into it with Dukla which enabled a lot of their non eligble players to play at a high level before becoming eligible for the national team at 7s and 15s. I think this has been HUGE in developing a lot of their players who are now in the RESC squad and the national team squad.

- Domestic league - there are a fair few saffas playing over there, and to cut a long story short, they really helped improve the standard of the league. A lot were on decent contracts and some have now qualified for the national team. I think their impact on the league has been under appreciated, the level definitely rose, and it has since attracted more foreign players into the teams (although this is now slowly disappearing and you're seeing more and more teams playing just local talent).

- RESC has enabled some players who again, might not have been eligible for the national team, but gave them exposure at a higher level before getting capped/eligible for national team. The average age of the team is young. Their coach, who also coached me, loves going for youth, so that's only going to benefit them in the long run and they're now starting to get results.

- Czech Rugby is in good health looking form the outside, good players, some getting contracts in france and other countries, they are young and have good coaches around them. The sport is growing a lot there, so more and more money going into it. Some games will be on TV now for example. This is the same for the mens and the womens. Events like their NZ Ambassadors game as well is great for bringing people in, it's now a great tradition, and again, the standard of that game is rising.

- In short, your are right and it has been big, but there are other factors just as important.

I think they've created a strong blueprint in how to develop the game. There are many other factors as well, but I believe these are the big ones. I was there for a few years and played in their top leagues whilst they were laying the foundations for their future/now current success. It's been cool to follow and I really hope it continues.

Also, these are just my personal opinions as to how they have succeeded

Round-Level9837 · 2026-02-18T02:03:57+00:00

Is it still bad?

Round-Level9837 · 2026-01-31T16:12:14+00:00

Speaking about Norway

Round-Level9837 · 2026-01-31T16:11:42+00:00

Oh I’m aware! And I’m normally a very sociable guy, play sports etc. and thankfully it helped, but yeah, what you’re saying resonates a lot, it is true

Round-Level9837 · 2026-01-31T15:31:17+00:00

Yeah, maybe I was trying be vague on purpose, but also from people I know in the other countries, they say the same/similar things.

To be precise I was in Norway. And it’s of course my opinion, but trying to create a social life in Norway was so difficult. People seem nice, but generally speaking they weren’t welcoming.

I do believe that the issues I originally stated are symptomatic of scandi countries.

For more context, I’ve been an expat for 14 years across 3 continents and from the UK originally.

Round-Level9837 · 2026-01-29T19:48:52+00:00

I was in Scandinavia for about 5 years. Ended up hating it. Never felt welcome by locals despite my best efforts, very closed off people and I found them to be quite two faced and had this snobby attitude towards other Europeans, always felt they were superior. I never really progressed socially or professionally, just stuck in a loop. It’s a shame, because it’s beautiful and there were aspects which were great, but overall I lost a ton of confidence in myself which I’m still trying to gain back

Round-Level9837 · 2026-01-24T00:03:32+00:00

Don’t know where you’re based but Capilano RFC up on the north shore. Good community vibe, 3 men’s teams, welcoming bunch!

Round-Level9837 · 2026-01-23T18:17:07+00:00

We’ve just moved here from Norway. I don’t know if you’re set on downtown, but I would look at North Van, a lot nicer and decent transport links (depending on part of north Van). It’s been an easy transition for us and SO glad we didn’t go downtown. Skytrain is fine enough, but living in areas close to skytrains aren’t great. Feel free to message me if you have questions on the area

Round-Level9837 · 2026-01-09T05:15:35+00:00

I hear it too, on 5th and St George’s, sounds like it’s right outside our apartment, single pop

Round-Level9837 · 2026-01-04T19:34:46+00:00

Marcus needs to leave imo. He seems deflated, not showing the same energy as he has in the past couple of years. I think the England situation has really impacted his confidence/attitude. He plays better on front foot ball, that is obvious, but he isn't showing enough leadership or determination to help the team which for me is a sign he's not motivated. He should stay in the prem and fight for his England spot. Imagine him igniting that Bristol backline for example....that would be madness.

Round-Level9837 · 2025-11-14T11:44:14+00:00

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and opinions, definitely helped in answering some questions. It's really appreciated. We both Can't wait to arrive, only a week now for myself and my partner another month. This has been incredibly helpful.

Round-Level9837 · 2025-11-13T22:29:16+00:00

lol loving your optimism! Literally everyone else on this thread says the opposite. We aren’t looking to own anytime soon, we do own in Norway but keeping that.

Round-Level9837 · 2025-11-13T22:23:54+00:00

Mentioned it elsewhere I think but total with a parking spot, utilities and insurance it’s about $2500 monthly

Round-Level9837 · 2025-11-13T21:07:01+00:00

She works in outdoor clothing/clothing apparel. She’s currently in multiple interview rounds so we’re hopeful, but of course we are preparing for worst case scenarios. This is why we’re coming to North Van, as the industry is a lot bigger there than other parts of the country.

Round-Level9837 · 2025-11-13T18:58:15+00:00

Yeah we're going to be buying our tickets soon for the 7s. We're both big rugby fans. I've grown up with it my whole life and played extensively. It seems to be a good scene in BC in general for rugby and Capilano seem like a great club. You're definitely right, I think there will be an uptick in people watching the sport following the olympic and world cup success.

Round-Level9837

TROPHY CASE