Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Loughborough Lightning have confirmed the signing of Canadian international Courtney Holtkamp for the 2020-21 Premier 15s campaign. She arrives from the Red Deer Titans, having also turned out for the University of Alberta Pandas.
Holtkamp, 21, is one of Canada’s brightest young talents. The powerful ball carrier has most recently been used as a lock for the national team but is equally comfortable in the back row. She made her test debut as an 18-year-old against England in November 2017 and now has 10 senior caps.
With rugby across the country on hold due to COVID-19, a number of Canada’s top players are expected to play abroad ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019. Rugby Québec has arranged for 19 players to join clubs in France while outside back Paige Farries has already been confirmed by Worcester Warriors.
The Premier 15s is England’s elite women’s division that was formed in 2017. It operates as a semi-professional competition with 10 teams, eight of whom are attached to men’s Premiership sides. Select matches are streamed weekly on England’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
