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Canada’s top women’s players are currently participating in a 10-day training camp at Langford, under the watchful eye of new coach Kévin Rouet. The camp includes 40 players as selections are whittled down ahead of this fall’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Among the selections are 15 European-based players including 10 from England’s Premier 15s, with three other domestic forwards – prop Olivia DeMerchant, second row Emma Taylor, and back row Sophie de Goede – having played in the competition in 2021. Second or back row Cindy Nelles is the only New Zealand-based player included.
Stade Bordelais loose forward Fabiola Forteza and Westshore flyhalf Emily Belchos were unavailable for the camp. Other notable absentees include Saracens hooker Mackenzie Carson, prop or lock Ngalulu Fuamba, and former World Rugby Player of the Year Magali Harvey. The latter suited up for Auckland in last year’s Farah Palmer Cup.
New names to the squad are Ottawa Gee-Gees prop Maya Montiel and Laval scrumhalf Corinne Fréchette, while versatile back Chloe Daniels is also uncapped. Montiel has previously represented Canada’s u20 series, 18-year-old Daniels has already played on the World Sevens Series, and Fréchette was named a National University 1st Team All-Star in 2021.
The raining camp runs until Saturday, April 16, with the next selection to come in May for the upcoming Pacific Four tournament. Additional training camps will be held in July and August. Canada opens their World Cup against Japan in Whangarei on October 9.
FORWARDS
Alex Ellis (Saracens, UK), Brittany Kassil (Guelph Redcoats), DaLeaka Menin (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Maya Montiel (Ottawa Gee-Gees), Mikiela Nelson (UBC Thunderbirds), Olivia DeMerchant (Halifax Tars), Gillian Boag (Capilano), Veronica Harrigan (Brantford Harlequins), Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads), Emily Tuttosi (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Tyson Beukeboom (Cowichan), Abby Duguid (Loughborough Lightning, UK), McKinley Hunt (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Cindy Nelles (Canterbury, NZ), Laetitia Royer (Lons, FR), Emma Taylor (Halifax RFC), Pamphinette Buisa (Ottawa Irish), Sophie de Goede (Queen’s Gaels), Courtney Holtkamp (Loughborough Lightning, UK), Karen Paquin (Stade Bordelais, FR), Gabrielle Senft (Exeter Chiefs, UK), Janna Slevinsky (Calgary Saracens), Sara Svoboda (Loughborough Lightning, UK)
BACKS
Corinne Fréchette (Laval Rouge et Or), Brianna Miller (SABRFC), Justine Pelletier (Stade Bordelais, FR), Nakisa Levale (Abbotsford), Taylor Perry (Queen’s Gaels), Julia Schell (Guelph Redcoats), Chloe Daniels (Queen’s Gaels), Sara Kaljuvee (Toronto Scottish), Sarah-Maude Lachance (Lons, FR), Alex Tessier (SABRFC), Marie Thibault (CRQ), Alysha Corrigan (Saracens, UK), Paige Farries (Worcester Warriors, UK), Renee Gonzalez (UVic Vikes), Maddy Grant (Ottawa Gee-Gees), Sabrina Poulin (Stade Rennais, FR), Elissa Alarie (Westshore)
