The Cup runneth over

Rugby Canada

Churchill Cup history
Coached by Kieran Crowley, the team saw its best finishes in 2003 and 2004 when it came in third place.

Quick hit
Crowley gets his first real taste of international play since taking over in March. The Canucks took it on the chin against Scotland in the opening round.

Six degrees of Mike Myers
“The Love Guru,” born and raised in the Great White North, owns a spot on Toronto’s Walk of Fame.

Where to party
We’re hoping you can get this in hand in time for the Canadian meet-and-greet at Johnny O’Hagan’s (3374 N Clark St, 773-248-3600) Wed 18.

Scottish ‘A’ Rugby

Churchill Cup
The Scots look to extend their unbeaten streak in 2008 as well as their runner-up spot in the 2006 tourney.

Quick hit
The team enters the tournament with a lot of confidence having bested Ireland (see below) 67-7 in February.

Six degrees of Mike Myers
Myers garnered a few laughs (and much more criticism) when he imitated a mad Scotsman on SNL with the tagline “If it’s not Scottish, it’s crap!”

Where to party
The boys at Ole St. Andrew’s Inn (5938 N Broadway, 773-784-5540) are sure to get rowdy should the Scots win the Cup.

USA Rugby

Churchill Cup history
The Eagles haven’t matched the success of the inaugural 2003 tourney, when they took second place.

Quick hit
Another rookie head coach, Scott Johnson, hopes to mold his hookers and forwards into winners.

Six degrees of Mike Myers
Much of Myers’s fame can be traced back to his Wayne’s World study of teenage life in that most American of cities, Aurora.

Where to party with your countrymen
Many of the local rugbiers will be found at Black Rock (3614 N Damen Ave, 773-348-4044) pre- and post-tourney.

England Saxons

Churchill Cup history
Fecking English. They’ve gone back to Old Blighty three out of five years with the Cup.

Quick hit
The Saxons might be a bit handicapped this year, as the squad’s average age is a mighty youthful 22.

Six degrees of Mike Myers
The Austin Powers trilogy sent many trend-chasers to mum and dad’s closet in an attempt to recreate a swinging lifestyle.

Where to party with your countrymen
Jovial expat Stuart Johnston at the Globe Pub (1934 W Irving Park Rd, 773-871-3757) continues to shower the ruggers with love.

IRFU

Churchill Cup history
The Irish have a bit of momentum as they’ve notched two third-place finishes in the past two years.

Quick hit
The Irish and head coach Allen Clarke will lean on Heineken (European) Cup winners Denis Hurley and Tomas O’Leary.

Six degrees of Mike Myers
Though Myers claims Irish descent, he has blamed his poor attempt at the brogue as a contributing factor to the dismal reception of Pete’s Meteor ($5.95 on DVD at CD Universe).

Where to party with your countrymen
We dare you to stumble more than 30 feet in this city without bumping into an Irish bar.

UAR

Churchill Cup history
The Pumas, as the Argentines are known, have had a little success in the Cup: a runner-up finish in 2005.

Quick hit
Though lacking a regular international calendar of play, the squad ranked 3rd at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Six degrees of Mike Myers
May 25, 1810: Citizens of Buenos Aires expel the Spanish Viceroy. May 25, 1963: Alice Myers expels her son from her womb.

Where to party with your countrymen
The Vida Lounge (1248 W George St, 773-935-5700) welcomes the Pumas Thursday 19 and continues the party all weekend.