Canada names Women’s Long List

World Cup star Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid is one of 79 players named in Canada’s 2016 National Senior Women’s Long List. The hard-running loosehead prop returns to international contention after a year’s absence along with fellow Dream Team selections Hilary Leith (tighthead prop) and Stephanie Bernier (scrumhalf). A total of 16 players from the squad that made the tournament final against England are named, including the only two overseas-based players in the group – Saracens prop Olivia DeMerchant and versatile Toulouse forward Latoya Blackwood.

François Ratier will return to his duties as Head Coach after stepping up as interim leader of the National Senior Men’s team for the upcoming Americas Rugby Championship following the sudden resignation of Kieran Crowley. Ratier will be absent a number of key players this year due to HSBC and Olympic Sevens duties, including captain Kelly Russell, flanker Karen Paquin, and 2014 IRB (World Rugby) Women’s Player of the Year winner Magali Harvey.

Preparation for the 2017 Women’s World Cup in Ireland will switch into high gear with a busy schedule in 2016. After holding East and West selection camps in March and April respectively, the team will play a three-test series in July against hosts USA, England, and France. Another intensive training camp for the top 40 players in the country will be held at Shawnigan Lake in September, followed by a year-end tour to Europe in November. The daunting two-week trip includes tests against Ireland, New Zealand, and World Cup champions England.

EDIT: Justine Pelletier (CRQ) has today been added to the list.

FORWARDS
Asya Bartley (Barrhaven Scottish), Olivia DeMerchant (Saracens, UK), Colleen Irowa (McMaster), Hilary Leith (Capilano), Carolyn McEwan (Burnaby Lake), DaLeaka Menin (UCalgary), Chelsey Minter (Westshore), Tobi Owotomo (York), Tiffany Picketts (UVic), Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid (CRQ), Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads), Simone Savary (Ottawa), Demi Stamatakis (Simon Fraser), Emily Tuttosi (UCalgary), Emily Barber (Lindsay), Gillian Boag (UBC), Julia Folk (UVic), Kathleen Keller (Laval), Mary-Jane Kirby (Highland), Gillian Pegg (Queen’s), Brittany Priddle (Guelph), Kristy Sargent (Lep-Tigers), Tyson Beukeboom (Aurora Barbarians), Caitlin Harvey (UVic), Janai Haupapa (Calgary Rams), Brittany Kassil (Guelph), Camille Provençal-Aubé (Laval), Veronique Russell (Acadia), Maria Samson (Calgary Hornets), Emma Taylor (HRFC), Jenna Thompson (Concordia), Emily van Gulik (Burnaby Lake), Latoya Blackwood (Toulouse, FRA), Pam Buisa (UVic), Louise Chen (Aurora Barbarians), Megan Copeland-Dinan (Barrhaven Scottish), Mackenzie Fane (Aurora Barbarians), Fabiola Forteza (Laval), Ngalula Fuamba (UdeM), Daria Keane (Guelph), Barb Mervin (Westshore), Jacey Murphy (Aurora Barbarians), Marlene Nedved (Castaway Wanderers), Cindy Nelles (McMaster), Gabrielle Senft (UVic), Katie Svoboda (McMaster), Sara Svoboda (McMaster)

BACKS
Stephanie Bernier (CRQ), Chelsea Guthrie (Druids), Lori Josephson (Aurora Barbarians), Justine Pelletier (CRQ), Erin van Gulik (Ottawa), Sarah Gordon (Lethbridge), Mackenzie Higgs (Aurora Barbarians), Jess Neilson (UVic), Alex Tessier (Concordia), Andrea Burk (Capilano), Paige Farries (Western), Lisa Gauthier (SABRFC), Julia Goss (UofA), Maddie MacKenzie (Acadia), Jaelei Meyer (St. FX), Brianna Miller (SABRFC), Emily Ricketts (McMaster), Caroline Suchorski (SABRFC), Amanda Thornborough (Brandon Barbarians), Amanda Williams (Calgary Hornets), Alanna Fittes (Lep-Tigers), Frédérique Rajotte (Concordia), Nicole Ronsky (Lethbridge), Elysa Sandron (UCalgary), Natasha Smith (Barrhaven Scottish), Brittany Waters (Meraloma), Petra Woods (York), Emily Young (Abbotsford), Gillian Allen (Kirin), Katie McNally (Westshore), Irene Patrinos (Ottawa), Julianne Zussman (TMR)

SCHEDULE (dates tentative)
March 16-20 – West Selection Camp – Shawnigan Lake School
April 19-23 – East Selection Camp – University of Guelph
July 1 – vs USA – tba, USA
July 5 – vs England – tba, USA
July 9 – vs France – tba, USA
September 20-25 – Top 40 Camp – Shawnigan Lake School
November 19 – vs Ireland – tba, Ireland
November 23 – vs New Zealand – tba, England
November 26 – vs England – tba, England