Canada Women ready for Dubai

John Tait has named a strong lineup for the opening round of the 2015/16 Women’s Sevens Series that kicks off on Thursday in Dubai. Canada have already qualified for the 2016 Olympics, and will look to get their Rio run-in off to a strong start.

The team is lead once again by Jen Kish, and the inspirational captain will have plenty of experience alongside to help her out. Karen Paquin has become one of the competition’s top forwards, while the scrappy Kayla Moleschi enjoyed a breakout season in 2014/15. Out wide there are top points scorers in Ghislaine Landry and World Cup star Magali Harvey.

Meanwhile two players will make their first appearances with the team. Barrie native Megan Lukan has transitioned from five seasons in NCAA Div 1 basketball with Green Bay to international rugby in only a few months. Caroline Crossley is the other newcomer, making her senior debut still six months shy of her 18th birthday.

Canada will also send a development side – the Maple Leafs – that will be coached by former national senior men’s captain Morgan Williams. Senior caps Emily Belchos, Charity Williams, and Kayla Mack will join a host of newcomers hoping to impress.

Unavailable for selection due to injury were Ashley Steacy, Hannah Darling, Natasha Watcham-Roy, Bianca Farella, Sara Kaljuvee, Elissa Alarie, and Nadia Popov.

The senior side will play against Fiji, Ireland, and USA on Day 1. The Maple Leafs play in the invitational competition against South Africa, Belgium, and the TabuSoro Angels from Fiji. The senior bracket will be streamed live by World Rugby.

CANADA WOMEN’S SEVENS
Brittany Benn (Guelph Redcoats), Caroline Crossley (Castaway Wanderers), Arielle Duboissette-Borrice (Toronto Scottish), Julia Greenshields (Sarnia Saints), Magali Harvey (Club de Rugby Québec), Jen Kish (capt., Edmonton Rockers), Ghislaine Landry (Toronto Scottish), Megan Lukan (Barrie), Mandy Marchak (Capilano), Kayla Moleschi (Williams Lake Rustlers), Karen Paquin (Club de Rugby Québec), Kelly Russell (Toronto Nomads)

Head Coach – John Tait
Assistant Coach – Sandro Fiorino
Manager – Meaghan Howat
Therapist – Sandeep Nandhra
Strength & Conditioning – Tyler Goodale

DAY 1 FIXTURES
Dec 3 – 03:20 EST – vs Fiji
Dec 3 – 06:16 EST – vs Ireland
Dec 3 – 09:13 EST – vs USA

MAPLE LEAFS WOMEN’S SEVENS
Moanda Anglo (Regina Cougars), Olivia Apps (Lindsay), Emily Belchos (Markham Irish), Christina Branch (Oshawa Vikings), Ashley Gordon (Brampton Beavers), Nakisa Levale (Abbotsford), Kayla Mack (Wild Oats), Breanne Nicholas (London St. George’s), Nicole Ronsky (Lethbridge Pronghorns), Elysa Sandron (Calgary Dinos), Charity Williams (Markham Irish)

Coach – Morgan Williams

DAY 1 FIXTURES
Dec 3 – 00:00 EST – vs South Africa
Dec 3 – 02:40 EST – vs Belgium
Dec 3 – 05:54 EST – vs TabuSoro Angels