Test Match Preview – England vs Canada

Canada will play their first of two overseas tests in London on Sunday as they renew a friendly rivalry against England. The two sides have met nine times since colliding at the 2014 World Cup Final in Paris. England were the better side on that day and have only lost once to the Canadians since, though their most recent meeting was decided by only two points.

After a two-year hiatus from international rugby Canada enjoyed back-to-back wins over the USA in Colorado last week. They will enjoy the step up in competition but will be wary of England’s strong form, evidenced by two blowout wins over 2017 World Cup champions New Zealand.

Sandro Fiorino has made several changes to his Canadian side, reverting to a similar lineup that took the field in the first test against the Eagles. Notably the team will be without star No8 Sophie de Goede, who has instead opted to play for Queen’s University in the Canadian National Championships.

There will be familiar faces to the English players as Canada’s entire tight five have played in the Premier 15s over the past year. Fabiola Forteza joins the squad to make it two France-based flankers alongside Karen Paquin. Back row Pamphinette Buisa is set to make her 15-a-side debut from the bench having been part of Canada’s Olympic Sevens squad this year.

Veteran fullback Elissa Alarie bolsters the backline that has been reshuffled. Emily Belchos moves to flyhalf with Alex Tessier swapping to the midfield. Sara Kaljuvee pushes out one spot to outside center and Paige Farries moves to her Worcester position of wing.

Simon Middleton meanwhile has freshened up his pack with three changes. Hannah Botterman comes in at loosehead prop, with captain Sarah Hunter coming back into the starting side on the blindside flank. Openside flanker Sadia Kabeya makes her test debut and No8 Poppy Cleall celebrates her 50th cap.

A second debutante is named on the wing in Harlequins speedster Heather Cowell. Sarah McKenna gets the start at fullback, with the powerful Lagi Tuima named in the midfield. Claudia MacDonald comes into the starting side at scrumhalf with last weekend’s vice-captain Leanne Infante moving to the bench.

The forecast reads mild temperatures with a chance of showers, and those conditions should not bother the players much. Canada will be confident on the back of their wins and with several players now based in Europe, but England look to be firing on all cylinders at the moment. Take the Red Roses at home in an exciting contest.

Kickoff is set for 2:30pm local time, 6:30am Pacific, 9:30am Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on BBC Two in England and TSN’s digital channels in Canada. A delayed broadcast will be shown on TSN 2 at 6:30pm Pacific, 9:30pm Eastern.

ENGLAND
1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Zoe Aldcroft, 5 Abbie Ward, 6 Sarah Hunter (capt.), 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Poppy Cleall, 9 Claudia MacDonald, 10 Zoe Harrison, 11 Abby Dow, 12 Helena Rowland, 13 Lagi Tuima, 14 Heather Cowell, 15 Sarah McKenna

Replacements: 16 Lark Davies, 17 Vickii Cornborough, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Harriet Millar-Mills, 20 Alex Matthews, 21 Marlie Packer, 22 Leanne Infante, 23 Holly Aitchison

CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant (capt.), 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Emma Taylor, 5 Courtney Holtkamp, 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Gabrielle Senft, 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Emily Belchos, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Sara Kaljuvee, 14 Sabrina Poulin, 15 Elissa Alarie

Replacements: 16 Laura Russell, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Pamphinette Buisa, 21 Laetitia Royer, 22 Justine Pelletier, 23 Renee Gonzalez

Date: Sunday, November 14
Venue: The Stoop, London
Kickoff: 14:30 local (06:30 Pacific, 09:30 Eastern)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistants: Aurélie Groizeleau (France) & Maria Giovanna Pacifico (Italy)
TMO: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Broadcasts: BBC Two (England), TSN Digital (Canada)

RECENT RESULTS
2019-07-06 – Canada 17, England 19 (Elite Athlete Training Center, Chula Vista)
2018-11-18 – England 27, Canada 19 (Castle Park, Doncaster)
2017-11-25 – England 69, Canada 19 (Twickenham, London)
2017-11-21 – England 49, Canada 12 (The Stoop, London)
2017-11-17 – England 79, Canada 5 (Barnet Copthall Stadium, London)
2017-06-13 – Canada 20, England 27 (Rugby Park, Christchurch)
2016-11-26 – England 39, Canada 6 (The Stoop, London)
2016-07-01 – Canada 52, England 17 (Regional Athletic Complex, Salt Lake City)
2015-07-05 – Canada 14, England 15 (Ellerslie Park, Edmonton)
2014-08-17 – England 21, Canada 9 (Stade Jean Bouin, Paris) *World Cup Final