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Nine members of Canada’s Bronze Medal-winning Olympic Sevens team will reunite for the opening round of the HSBC Sevens Series in Dubai this coming weekend. Leading the side in the absence of injured captain Jen Kish is leading points scorer Ghislaine Landry. The other two absentees from the Rio group are forwards Kelly Russell and Karen Paquin, both of whom have now switched their focus to the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland and were on duty in the test match at Twickenham on Saturday.
Among the Olympic returnees are hard-working utility Britt Benn and dynamic winger Bianca Farella. Star playmaker Ashley Steacy and the versatile Kayla Moleschi are also back for another season of rugby globetrotting. Taking up the vacancies are Julia Greenshields, Sara Kajluvee, and Breanne Nicholas. All have previous experience on the HSBC circuit.
Canada also finished third in the 2015-16 HSBC Sevens Series, tied with England on 74 points but ahead on differential. They ended their season on a high with a cup title in Clermont, their second ever tournament victory. Dubai is the first of five official stops on this year’s circuit. A sixth spot earmarked for Las Vegas has yet to be officially unveiled by World Rugby.
The tournament kicks off on Thursday, December 1. Canada are in Pool C along with England, Spain, and Brazil. All matches will be streamed live by World Rugby.
CANADA WOMEN’s 7s
Brittany Benn, Hannah Darling, Bianca Farella, Julia Greenshields, Sara Kaljuvee, Ghislaine Landry (capt.), Megan Lukan, Kayla Moleschi, Breanne Nicholas, Ashley Steacy, Natasha Watcham-Roy, Charity Williams
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach – John Tait
Assistant Coach – Sandro Fiorino
Assistant Coach – Morgan Williams
Manager – Meaghan Howat
DAY 1 FIXTURES (December 1)
12:22 local, 03:22 ET – vs Brazil
15:18 local, 06:18 ET – vs Spain
18:15 local, 09:15 ET – vs England
