RWC 2023

USA and Canada to begin their RWC 2023 qualification campaign

The two-leg series between Canada and USA will be played on 4 and 11 September, 2021 to determine which team progresses to the Americas 1 play-off against Uruguay next month.

The race to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023 continues this weekend with Canada and USA the latest nations to take their first steps on a road they hope will lead them all the way to France.

With Samoa having already secured the Oceania 1 spot at France 2023 following victories over Tonga in July, Canada and USA will face each other home and away to determine the Rugby Americas North regional champion.

The winner on aggregate will then face Uruguay over two legs next month for the Americas 1 berth alongside New Zealand, France, Italy and the Africa Cup 2022 winner in Pool A at RWC 2023.

Los Teros progressed to this advanced stage of the RWC 2023 Americas qualification process as winners of the Sudamérica Rugby 3 Naciones following narrow victories against Chile and Brazil in July.

Referee Mike Adamson (Scotland) will take charge of both matches in the North American series, starting this Saturday at Swilers Rugby Club in St John's, Newfoundland (13:30 ET). The two sides then head to Glendale, Colorado, for the return meeting at Infinity Park on 11 September (21:00 ET).

View the full match official appointments here.

The RWC 2023 dream will not end for the losing team as they will next face Chile home and away. The winner faces the Americas 1 play-off runner-up over two legs for the right to join England, Japan, Argentina and Samoa in Pool D.

Download the RWC 2023 Qualification poster >>

Border rivalry reignited

Canada and USA drew 28-28 when they last met on Canadian soil for a Rugby World Cup qualifier in June 2017, only for the US Eagles to post their record score in the second leg and qualify as Americas 1 for the first time, leaving Canada to ultimately qualify through the Repechage.

With a 12-match unbeaten run in the fixture and a World Rugby Men’s Ranking six places higher than Canada, the US Eagles will this time hope to take a healthy first leg lead into the rematch on 11 September.

Canada hope history can repeat itself against USA in Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifier >>

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