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Canada will look to end their November test series on a winning note when they take on Wales in Cardiff on Sunday. After back-to-back wins over the USA in Colorado, they suffered a heavy defeat to England’s Red Roses at The Stoop in London.
It’s been three years since the two sides last met, with Canada taking a strong victory in Cardiff. The North Americans have had the best of their British opponents with sevens wins from their historical results. Wales were last winners at Glamorgan in 2006.
Ioan Cunningham’s side are coming off a 29-19 win over South Africa and show only three changes to the the run-on side. The only alteration to the pack sees Caryl Thomas recalled at loosehead prop at the expense of Gwenllian Pyrs.
In the backs there is a change at scrumhalf with Kiera Bevan starting and Ffion Lewis dropping to the bench. Lisa Newmann comes in on the right wing in place of Courtney Keight.
For Canada there is a first start at hooker for Veronica Harrigan, and Tyson Beukeboom returns at lock with Karen Paquin given the day off. Fabiola Forteza switches to the No7 shift with Courtney Holtkamp moving to the blindside flank.
It’s an identical backline with the exception of scrumhalf where Justine Pelletier starts in place of Brianna Miller. Ngalula Fuamba makes her first appearance of the fall series as lock cover, and it’s a conventional 5-3 split on the bench with the addition of reserve backs Marie Thibault and Sarah-Maude Lachance.
Sunshine is on the forecast in Cardiff which should make for an entertaining spectacle to fans. Wales have home field advantage and will be confidence after back-to-back wins but Canada are eight spots higher at No3 on the World Rugby Rankings and should be considered to pick up a convincing win.
Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 9am Pacific, noon Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on BBC Two in Wales and TSN’s digital services in Canada.
WALES
1 Caryl Thomas, 2 Carys Phillips, 3 Cerys Hale, 4 Natalia John, 5 Georgia Evans, 6 Alisa Butchers, 7 Bethan Lewis, 8 Siwan Lillicrap (capt.), 9 Keira Bevan, 10 Elinor Snowsill, 11 Caitlin Lewis, 12 Kerin lake, 13 Hannah Jones, 14 Lisa Neumann, 15 Niamh Terry
Replacements: 16 Kat Evans, 17 Cara Hope, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Gwen Crabb, 20 Alex Callender, 21 Ffion Lewis, 22 Robyn Wilkins, 23 Megan Webb
CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant (capt.), 2 Veronica Harrigan, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Emma Taylor, 6 Courtney Holtkamp, 7 Fabiola Forteza, 8 Gabrielle Senft, 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Emily Belchos, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Sara Kaljuvee, 14 Sabrina Poulin, 15 Elissa Alarie
Replacements: 16 Emily Tuttosi, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Ngalula Fuamba, 20 Pamphinette Buisa, 21 Marie Thibault, 22 Sarah-Maude Lachance, 23 Renee Gonzalez
Date: Sunday, November 21
Venue: Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Kickoff: 17:00 local (09:00 Pacific, 12:00 Eastern)
Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (France)
Assistants: Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy) & Maria Giovanna Pacifico (Italy)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (England)
Broadcasts: BBC Two (Wales), TSN Digital (Canada)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2018-11-24 – Wales 21, Canada 38 (Cardiff)
2017-08-22 – Wales 0, Canada 52 (Belfast)
2017-08-13 – Wales 0, Canada 15 (Dublin)
2007-11-09 – Wales 3, Canada 25 (Cardiff)
2006-05-06 – Wales 16, Canada 11 (Glamorgan)
2001-10-28 – Wales 13, Canada 13 (Ebbw Vale)
2001-10-21 – Wales 11, Canada 12 (Caerphilly)
2001-10-18 – Wales 7, Canada 21 (Glamorgan)
1994-04-11 – Wales 11, Canada 5 (Edinburgh)
1993-06-08 – Canada 22, Wales 8 (Brampton)
1991-04-08 – Wales 9, Canada 9 (Glamorgan)
