Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Canadian World Cup prop Olivia DeMerchant is set to become a two-sport international after being named to the Canadian National Football roster to prepare for the 2017 IFAF Women’s World Championship. The tournament is slated to take place in June and will be hosted by Langley, British Columbia, though precise dates and details have proved difficult to obtain. DeMcrchant has been selected as a fullback after impressing for team New Brunswick during the 2016 National Championships in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Woodstock, NB, native is also a standout with the Capital Area Gladiators who are based out of Fredericton.
It’s an impressive accomplishment for the tighthead prop who celebrates her 26th birthday in February. DeMerchant has emerged as one of the world’s top scrummagers and gives Canada two formidable options at the position with DaLeaka Menin currently the incumbent starter. The duo are both expected to be named in Canada’s squad for the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, to be held in Ireland starting on August 9. It would be the second Rugby World Cup for DeMerchant, who appeared as a replacement in the final against England in the 2014 rendition of the world’s flagship tournament for women’s rugby.
