Ratier reveals Canadian team for Can-Am Series

François Ratier has selected 26 players to travel to Chula Vista to take on the Women’s Eagles in the two-game Can-Am Series. Matches will be played at the Olympic Training Center on Tuesday, March 28, and Saturday, April 1. This will be Canada’s first international action of the year as they begin final preparations for August’s World Cup in Ireland.

The team boasts experience in strength in depth with only one new player included. Guelph Redcoats prop Brittany Kassil replaces the unavailable Demi Stamatakis to mark her first inclusion in the senior squad. Also named is highly rated Belleville No 8 Cindy Nelles who returns to contention after missing out on the entire 2016 season with injury.

World Cup flyhalf Emily Belchos is set to steer the back division that includes the world class talents of Andrea Burk and Magali Harvey among others. Unavailable in the backs are established midfielder Alex Tessier and uncapped Lep-Tigers star Julia Goss.

FORWARDS
Olivia DeMerchant (Castaway Wanderers), Brittany Kassil (Guelph Redcoats), Carolyn McEwan (Burnaby Lake), DaLeaka Menin (Calgary Hornets), Laura Russell (Cowichan), Mary-Jane Kirby (Highland), Tyson Beukeboom (Cowichan), Kayla Mack (Wild Oats), Latoya Blackwood (Westshore), Jacey Grusnick (Aurora Barbarians), Barb Mervin (Westshore), Cindy Nelles (Belleville Bulldogs), Karen Paquin (CRQ), Kelly Russell (Cowichan)

BACKS
Chelsea Guthrie (Strathcona Druids), Lori Josephson (Aurora Barbarians), Brianna Miller (Westshore), Emily Belchos (Westshore), Anaïs Holly (TMR), Andrea Burk (Capilano), Amanda Thornborough (Westshore), Magali Harvey (CRQ), Frédérique Rajotte (SABRFC), Brittany Waters (Castaway Wanderers), Elissa Alarie (Westshore), Julianne Zussman (Castaway Wanderers)

STAFF
Head Coach – Francois Ratier
Assistant Coach – Shaun Allen
Scrum Coach – Gary Dukelow
Technical Advisor – Colette McAuley
Analyst – James Kent
Strength & Conditioning – Jamie McCartney
Manager – Nicole Crowley
Medic – Nicole Ainsworth