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François Ratier has selected his Maple Leafs side to take on England Academy at Esher tomorrow. Leading the team is CIS Player of the Year Cindy Nelles from her favoured no8 position, with former St. FX standout Tyson Beukeboom adding leadership in the second row. DaLeaka Menin and Camille Provençal-Aubé were also part of the senior Super Series squad earlier this year.
Chelsea Guthrie and Jess Neilson combine at the halfbacks with Alex Tessier sliding over to inside centre and Natasha Smith, usually a winger, getting a run at outside centre. Other interesting selections see Kristy Sargent lining up at hooker after featuring typically as a prop in her prior representative experience, with flanker Brittany Priddle set to cover from the bench. Tall midfielder Janai Haupapa appears to be getting a look as a reserve second row with Emma Taylor unavailable for the match.
This is the first of a two-match development tour for the Maple Leafs, the second game taking place on Saturday, also at Esher. Tomorrow’s game will not be streamed live.
CANADA MAPLE LEAFS
1 Demi Stamatakis 2 Kristy Sargent 3 DaLeaka Menin 4 Tyson Beukeboom 5 Camille Provençal-Aubé 6 Fabiola Forteza 7 Katie Svoboda 8 Cindy Nelles (capt.) 9 Chelsea Guthrie 10 Jess Neilson 11 Emma Jada 12 Alex Tessier 13 Natasha Smith 14 Frédérique Rajotte 15 Irene Patrinos
16 Brittany Priddle 17 Simone Savary 18 Chelsey Minter 19 Janai Haupapa 20 Gabrielle Senft 21 Lori Josephson 22 Mackenzie Higgs 23 Amanda Williams
