NEWS: University of Ottawa to host women’s rugby Garnet and Gold Classic, featuring USA Rugby and Queen’s Gaels

NEWS: University of Ottawa to host women’s rugby Garnet and Gold Classic, featuring USA Rugby and Queen’s Gaels
June 30, 2022

OTTAWA, ON – The United States U20 and U23 national rugby teams will travel to the University of Ottawa to face the Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Queen's Gaels varsity teams in the Garnet and Gold Classic on July 17 and July 19.

The four game, four team series pits two of the top collegiate women's rugby programs in Canada against the best up-and-coming rugby talent from the United States.

All matches will take place at Matt Anthony Field on the campus of the University of Ottawa. Admission for all matches is free.

2022 Garnet and Gold Classic Schedule:

Sunday, July 17

Tuesday, July 19

Queen's and Ottawa will look to provide a solid test for the Americans, as they boast two of the strongest women's rugby programs in Canada. Consistently seeded at or near the top of the U SPORTS Top 10 rankings, the two schools met in the final of the 2021 U SPORTS National Championship. The Gaels defeated the Gee-Gees 26-18 at Nixon Field on the Queen's campus.

Not to be outdone, Ottawa hosted the 2019 U SPORTS National Championships at Matt Anthony Field, and were crowed national champions in 2017. The Gee-Gees have earned a national medal at each of the past six National Championships.

Neither the USA U20 or U23 squads have played formal international matches since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Most recently, the U20 team fell to the Canadian U20 team 24-7 in July 2019. The United States have twice qualified for the World Rugby U20 Championship, doing so in 2008 and 2013. At the senior level, the United States' women's team is currently ranked fifth in the World Rugby rankings, one spot behind Canada. 

Further details including livestream information and finalized kickoff times will be available in the coming days.