Canada Women’s extended squad for November tour

An extended squad of 41 players has been named by Canada Senior Women’s coach Sandro Fiorino for a four-match tour in November. It comes after a long break with Canada only playing three matches since the 2017 World Cup, all against England in November of last year.

Julianne Zussman has confirmed her retirement, the star fullback opting to join former international teammate Latoya Blackwood on the road to becoming a high performance match official. There are however 13 members of the World Cup squad named including front row quartet DaLeaka Menin, Laura Russell, Olivia DeMerchant, and Brittany Kassil.

Second rows Tyson Beukeboom and Cindy Nelles are the only other returning World Cup forwards. Halfbacks Lori Josephson and Brianna Miller are joined by midfielders Alex Tessier and Amanda Thornborough. Frédérique Rajotte, Elissa Alarie, and Magali Harvey add experience to the outside backs.

Six members of the Canada u20 team that competed in the Tri-Nations Cup in June have earned promotions to the senior side. Tighthead prop Val Wideski, hooker Mackenzie Carson, second row Abby Duguid, and loose forwards Courtney Holtkamp and Sophie de Goede are named. Midfielder Madison Gold is also rewarded for her strong form.

There are two members of the national u18 squad named. Oakville Crusaders playmaker Taylor Black, the 2017 Rugby Canada Young Player of the Year, will compete for a spot in the senior side as will Abbotsford fullback Hunter Czeppel.

Canada will play tests against England, Scotland, and a team to be confirmed in test action. A mid-week match against England ‘A’ will give fringe players valuable game time.

FORWARDS
Olivia DeMerchant (Fredericton Loyalists / St. FX X-Women), Alex Ellis (Barrhaven Scottish), Veronica Harrigan (London St. George’s / Western Mustangs), Brittany Kassil (Guelph Redcoats), Maude Laliberté (CRQ), DaLeaka Menin (Calgary Hornets), Val Wideski (Westshore / Acadia Axewomen), Jennifer Appleby (Castaway Wanderers / UVic Vikes), Gillian Boag (Capilano / UBC Thunderbirds), Mackenzie Carson (Bristol Bears, UK), Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads), Tyson Beukeboom (Cowichan Piggies), Abby Duguid (Edmonton Pirates / Lethbridge Pronghorns), Ngalula Fuamba (TMR / UdeM Carabins), Cindy Nelles (Belleville Bulldogs), Emilie Nicholl (Guelph Redcoats / Guelph Gryphons), Sophie de Goede (Castaway Wanderers / Queen’s Golden Gaels), Chanelle Edwards-Challenger (Castaway Wanderers / UVic Vikes), Fabiola Forteza (CRQ / Laval Rouge Et Or), Courtney Holtkamp (Red Deer Titans / Alberta Pandas), Gabrielle Senft (Castaway Wanderers), Janna Slevinsky (Kingston Panthers), Sara Svoboda (Belleville Bulldogs / McMaster Marauders)

BACKS
Lori Josephson (Guelph Redcoats), Brianna Miller (SABRFC), Taylor Black (Oakville Crusaders), Anaïs Holly (TMR), Alex Tessier (SABRFC), Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown RFC), Paige Farries (Westshore), Madison Gold (UBC Thunderbirds), Marie Thibault (CRQ), Amanda Thornborough (Westshore), Magali Harvey (CRQ), Emma Jada (Guelph Redcoats / Guelph Gryphons), Arielle Normandin-Leclerc (TMR), Frédérique Rajotte (SABRFC), Emily Samek (Guelph Redcoats), Elissa Alarie (SABRFC / Westshore), Hunter Czeppel (Abbotsford), Irene Patrinos (Toronto Saracens)

FIXTURES
Sun, Nov 18 – vs England – Castle Park, Doncaster
Wed, Nov 21 – vs England ‘A’ – tbc
Sat, Nov 24 – vs tbc
Tue, Nov 27 – vs Scotland – Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow