Edmonton-born forward starts for France against All Blacks in rugby test match

Mickael Guillard of France dives over to score their first try against the All Blacks in Dunedin, New Zealand, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Peter Meecham/Photosport via AP)

Edmonton-born forward Tyler Duguid made his debut for fourth-ranked France in a 31-27 loss to the second-ranked All Blacks on Saturday in Dunedin, New Zealand.

The 24-year-old Duguid, who represented Canada at the under-20 level, qualifies for France via residency after moving to Europe to pursue his rugby career as a teenager with RC Narbonne. He currently plays for Montpellier in the top-flight French Top 14 on a contract running through 2017.

The six-foot-seven, 273-pounder played for France ‘A’ in a 26-21 win over England ‘A’ at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on June 21. And Duguid got the start again Saturday in the second row for an experimental French test side missing stars like Antoine Dupont, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos and Grégory Alldritt.

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“It feels good,” Duguid said after the match, played under a roof at Forsyth-Barr Stadium. “There was a lot of outside noise saying that we’d come out, (concede) 50 (points), we don’t have the strength to play against a team like that. But I thought we showed a lot of spirit tonight as a side.”

France coach Fabien Galthié also gave debuts to flanker Alexandre Fischer, fly half Joris Segonds and winger Tom Springs.

The win, which snapped a three-game losing streak against France, was the All Blacks’ 500th all-time.

France and New Zealand meet again July 19 and 21 in Wellington and Hamilton, respectively.

Duguid, who wrestled and played football at the University of Alberta, started playing rugby for the Edmonton Nor’Westers club and at high school with the Harry Ainlay Titans.

He comes from a rugby family.

Brother Kaden and sister Abby have represented Canada at youth level while uncles John and Luke Tait played professionally in Europe and for Canada at senior level. John Tait, former coach of the Canadian women’s seven side, is currently B.C. Rugby’s technical director.

Tyler Duguid is not the only Canadian to change international allegiance.

Canadian-born prop Mackenzie Carson grew up in Abbotsford, B.C., and won three caps for Canada including a 2018 match against England. Eligible for the Red Roses through her English-born mother, she made her England debut in 2023.

Many others have gone the other way.

The Canadian men’s training camp roster ahead of test matches later this month in Edmonton against No. 22 Belgium and No. 16 Spain includes players with ties to Australia, England, Fiji, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Canada is currently ranked No. 24 in the world.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2025.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press