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Women’s Rugby Super Series standout Latoya Blackwood has signed a one-year deal with renowned French club Toulouse. The versatile forward excelled in the flanker position during the competition held in Alberta in July, scoring three tries including one against the New Zealand Black Ferns. She also played a key role in Canada’s second place World Cup finish in 2014, lining up in at second row.
This will be the first taste of professional rugby for Blackwood, 30, who has won 10 caps for Canada since her debut in 2013. The Montreal native moves from her home club of Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. She has previously represented the Western Mustangs and Concordia Stingers.
Stade Toulousain, more commonly referred to as Toulouse, are one of the most prominent clubs in European rugby. The club was founded in 1907, with their men’s side French champions on a record 19 occasions, and also four-time winners of the European Cup. Their women’s side is also the most successful team in French rugby, winning more championships than any other club since the division was founded in 1971.
Toulouse will return to the women’s Premier Division this season, also known as the Top 8, where they will compete against Lille Métropole, Ovalie Caennaise, Stade Rennais, Blagnac, Perpignan, Bobigny, and three-time defending champions Montpellier.
