Image c/o Rugby Canada
VANCOUVER - The dates for Canada's next opportunity to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup are set.
The 24-ranked Canadians will host No. 18 Uruguay at B.C. Place Stadium on January 27 before playing the return leg in South America on Feb. 3.
Canada missed out on a chance to qualify for the World Cup earlier this year in a two-legged series with the United States. The teams tied 28-28 in Hamilton before the Americans picked thumped their northern neighbours 52-16 in San Diego to grab the first Americas qualifying spot.
That setback led to the dismissal of Canadian head coach Mark Anscombe, who was replaced last month by former Welsh international Kingsley Jones.
Canada has never missed the World Cup.
Should the Canadians lose on aggregate over two legs to Uruguay early next year, there will be one more opportunity to qualify via a repechage.
James' first game in charge of the national team will be Nov. 3 at B.C. Place against the Maori All Blacks.
