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2014 World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year Magali Harvey returns to Canada’s lineup for the first time since the 2014 World Cup as she joins a star-studded group named to face Ireland at the UCD Bowl in Dublin on Saturday. Also returning is Elissa Alarie who starts on the wing, and Olympic bronze medalists Kelly Paquin and Kelly Russell who join Jacey Grusnick (née Murphy) in a formidable loose forward trio. Russell leads the side from her familiar no8 position.
Captain Kelly’s sister Laura is a surprise choice at hooker having previously featured as a prop or lock, while Super Series flanker Latoya Blackwood returns to her World Cup position of second row in the absence of retired Maria Samson. World Cup Dream Team selection Andrea Burk spearheads an exciting backs division and there is impressive depth on the bench with the likes of Tyson Beukeboom, Barb Marvin, and Brittany Waters boasting significant international experience.
Canada are currently ranked 2nd in the world following their impressive undefeated Women’s Super Series victory in July that included wins over France, England, and hosts USA. 5th ranked Ireland are the first of a three-match tour that continues with games against New Zealand on Wednesday and a rematch with England next Saturday.
Kickoff is set for 2pm local time, 9am Eastern, 6am Pacific. The match will be streamed live on YouTube by Irish Rugby TV.
CANADA
1 Carolyn McEwen 2 Laura Russell 3 DaLeaka Menin 4 Latoya Blackwood 5 Kayla Mack 6 Jacey Grusnick 7 Karen Paquin 8 Kelly Russell (capt.) 9 Chelsea Guthrie 10 Emily Belchos 11 Magali Harvey 12 Andrea Burk 13 Alex Tessier 14 Elissa Alarie 15 Julianne Zussman
16 Gillian Boag 17 Olivia DeMerchant 18 Demi Stamatakis 19 Tyson Beukeboom 20 Barbara Mervin 21 Brianna Miller 22 Mackenzie Higgs 23 Brittany Waters
IRELAND
1 Fiona Hayes 2 Zoe Grattage 3 Fiona Reidy 4 Katie Norris 5 Nichola Fryday 6 Ciara Cooney 7 Anna Caplice 8 Paula Fitzpatrick (capt.) 9 Mary Healy 10 Nikki Caughey 11 Alison Miller 12 Sene Naoupu 13 Nicole Fowley 14 Niamh Kavanagh 15 Mairead Coyne
16 Leah Lyons 17 Lindsay Peat 18 Ailis Egan 19 Elaine Anthony 20 Chloe Pearse 21 Larissa Muldoon 22 Jackie Shiels 23 Claire McLaughlin
