Rugby Canada looks to turn men’s program around with new coach and framework
TORONTO — After firing coach Mark Anscombe following a failed first crack at World Cup qualifying, Rugby Canada is starting to put the people in place to help turn around the men’s national team program.
A new men’s coach is expected to be named this week. A high-performance director will also be chosen in the weeks to come.
Former women’s coach Francois Ratier started this week as head coach of the national fifteens academy. The French-born Quebecer is tasked with running the senior men’s centralized program in Langford, B.C., on a day-to-day basis while providing technical leadership for national age-grade programs (both men and women).
“Those are three key positions that will not only help the men’s 15s program but also have benefit to the rest of the organization,” said Tim Powers, chair of Rugby Canada’s board of directors.