Canadian women named for Super Series

The Canadian senior women are back in action this June, nearly a year removed from their outstanding 2nd place finish in the 2014 World Cup. Head coach Francois Ratier has retained 13 from that team in his 27 player squad to take part in the recently announced Super Series, a round-robin competition that kicks off on June 27th in Calgary. New Zealand, the United States, and world champions England will also take part as the sides start to rebuild ahead of the 2017 World Cup to be held in Ireland.

Five players who started the final in Paris have returned, including locks Latoya Blackwood and Maria Samson, flank Jacey Murphy, centre Andrea Burk, and fullback Juliann Zussman. Reserve front rowers Laura Russell, Mary-Jane Kirby, and Olivia DeMerchant are now set to be starters, along with utility forward Tyson Beukeboom and outside back Brittany Waters. Veteran back row Barb Mervin, who broke a hand early in the tournament, is fighting fit again, and her replacement Cindy Nelles is also included. Hard running Amanda Thornborough could find herself next to Burk in the midfield or further out on the wing.

A number of front line players have not returned, while those currently involved with the 7s program were not considered. Karen Paquin, Mandy Marchak, and 2014 World Rugby women’s player of the year Magali Harvey are among those who will instead prepare for the Pan Am Games, taking place in Toronto on July 11th and 12th.

FORWARDS
*Olivia DeMerchant (Woodstock Wildmen), Carolyn McEwan (Burnaby Lake), DaLeaka Menin (Calgary Hornets), *Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads), Tiffany Picketts (Abbotsford), Julia Folk (Regina Rogues), *Mary-Jane Kirby (Highland), *Latoya Blackwood (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue), Camille Provençal-Aubé (Abénakis), *Maria Samson (Calgary Hornets), Emma Taylor (Halifax RFC), *Tyson Beukeboom (Aurora Barbarians), *Barbara Mervin (Velox Valkyries), *Jacey Murphy (Aurora Barbarians), *Cindy Nelles (Belleville Bulldogs)

BACKS
Chelsea Guthrie (Strathcona Druids), Lori Josephson (Aurora Barbarians), Jess Neilson (Meraloma), Alex Tessier (Montreal Barbarians), *Julianne Zussman (Town of Mount Royal), *Andrea Burk (Capilano), Lisa Gauthier (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue), Natasha Smith (Barrhaven Scottish), *Amanda Thornborough (Brandon Barbarians), *Brittany Waters (Meraloma), Gillian Allen (Kirin), Katie McNally (Velox Valkyries)

*members of 2014 World Cup squad

FIXTURES
June 27 – v New Zealand, Calgary Rugby Park (18:30 Calgary)
July 1 – v USA, Red Deer Rugby Club (18:30 Red Deer)
July 5 – v England, Ellerslie Park (18:30 Edmonton)