The New England Free Jacks are excited to announce a historic trans-border pre-season clash with the Atlantic Privateers, a select side representing the four Canadian Atlantic provinces, on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

A later Major League Rugby start date provides a unique opportunity to host this showcase fixture against one of Canadian Rugby’s top representative sides, delivering another signature game-day festival at Veterans Memorial Stadium. As a curtain-raiser, Canadian old-boys side the Nova Scotia Ancient Mariners will face Massachusetts’ own Boston Irish Greyhounds.

This event reflects the shared innovation, camaraderie, and continued commitment to rugby on both sides of the border, and offers Free Jacks fans a chance to dress up, celebrate and pay homage to our friends to the north.

ATLANTIC PRIVATEERS: A BRIEF HISTORY

Founded in 2021 by Dr. John Gillis, former Rugby Canada and Toronto Arrows Chief Medical Officer, the Atlantic Privateers were created to provide top players from Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia with a high-performance platform for training, competition, and national/professional pathway visibility.

Since their inaugural match against the Toronto Arrows, the Privateers have built a reputation for strong on-field performances and an engaging, community-driven culture off it.

They host the annual Coast to Coast Cup in Halifax each June, finishing as finalists in 2023 and champions in both 2024 and 2025. Additional notable victories include wins over the Royal Navy (UK), Québec, British Columbia, Ontario, and the Free Jacks Academy.

Prominent players to don Privateers colors include Free Jacks favorites Kyle Baillie, Cole Keith, and Conor Keys, as well as former NOLA Gold standouts Cooper Coats and Tyler Matchem.

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For more opportunities to engage with the Free Jacks community, stay updated on future Free Jacks matches, festivals, and announcements through the Free Jacks’ news page: www.freejacks.com/news