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Canada’s u20 Women will square off against their England counterparts for the second time in as many weeks in the final match of the Tri-Nations Cup. With both sides having bested the USA, the spoils will go to the winner despite England claiming victory in the first encounter.
After falling 36-22 to the visitors last Friday the Canadian side has largely been restored to that which faced the USA in the tournament opener. There are two exceptions – Sarah-Maude Lachance retains the outside centre spot with Niamh Houghey ruled out and Annie Kennedy starts at fullback with Brooke Bazian swapped to the wing.
England will field a familiar starting lineup with one notable addition up front. Senior international Hannah Botterman has recovered sufficiently from a shoulder injury to start at tighthead prop in place of Ellie Mulhearn. Star flyhalf Zoe Harrison misses out with Lucy Attwood shifting in to the No10 shirt, Lagi Tuima moving up to the midfield, and Victoria Laflin handed the start at fullback.
With rain expected in Halifax the big game experience of England and Attwood’s educated left boot should pay dividends. Canada will look to the strength of their ball carriers up front – Courtney Holtkamp, Abby Duguid, and captain Sophie de Goede in particular – to win the battle on the gainline.
Expect both teams to be fully committed, with Canada proving their worth in the second half of the first match between the two. The addition of Botterman to the scrum could be significant in a match certain to see plenty of set piece play. In that regard England have proved unmatched in this tournament. The Roses enter as favorites but not overwhelmingly so.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 8pm London. A live stream is available on Tv1.
CANADA u20
1 Idia Ihensekhien, 2 Mackenzie Carson, 3 Val Wideski, 4 Abby Duguid, 5 Keegan Branter, 6 Harley Tucker, 7 Courtney Holtkamp, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Sasha Guedes, 10 Tausani Levale, 11 Asia Hogan, 12 Madison Gold, 13 Sarah-Maude Lachance, 14 Brooke Bazian, 15 Annie Kennedy
Replacements: 16 Erika Barton, 17 Maya Montiel, 18 Amelia Hatfield, 19 Zoe Goodwin-Sutton, 20 Aly MacDougall, 21 Celia Martensson, 22 Hannah Daniels, 23 Rachel Hickson
ENGLAND u20
1 Ellena Perry, 2 Leah Bartlett, 3 Hannah Botterman, 4 Rosie Galligan, 5 Hollie Cunningham, 6 Amelia Harper, 7 Charlie Wilcock, 8 Sarah Beckett, 9 Ella Wyrwas, 10 Lucy Attwood, 11 Lilian Stoeger-Goddard, 12 Phoebe Murray (capt.), 13 Lagi Tuima, 14 Abby Dow, 15 Victoria Laflin
Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Detysha Harper, 18 Ellie Mulhearn, 19 Akina Gondwe, 20 Rianna Manson, 21 Brooke Bradley, 22 Ellie Green, 23 Jessica Cooksey
Date: Saturday, August 18
Venue: Wanderers Grounds, Halifax
Kickoff: 16:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 15:00 Eastern, 20:00 London)
Referee: Mike Jones (RC)
Broadcasts: Tv1
