Nelles in contention as Canada expands training squad

New Zealand-based lock or loose forward Cindy Nelles is one of 12 players added to Canada’s training squad for their week long training camp in Victoria that started this past Friday. A group of 44 has been selected to prepare for this Sunday’s test against Italy at Starlight Stadium.

All 32 players on the traveling roster for the Pacific Four competition are included while eight of the reserves, Nelles included, rejoin the main squad. The exceptions are Laval scrumhalf Corinne Fréchette and Abbotsford flyhalf Nakisa Levale, with the latter now switching her attention to the sevens program as they travel to the Commonwealth Games.

Four others are added who were not part of the May roster. Flanker Janna Slevinsky, Rugby Canada’s 2018 Player of the Year, has recovered from a long-term knee injury while her former Saracens clubmate Mackenzie Carson, a hooker or flanker, has also been recalled. Earning selection for the first time are a pair of backs from Québec – scrumhalf or fullback Mahalia Robinson and midfielder Audrey Champagne.

Head Coach Kévin Rouet will also have an expanded staff to work with in Victoria. Women’s Sevens coach Jack Hanratty is among four ‘support’ coaches, the others Maria Gallo, Jocelyn Barrieu, and Clint Lemkus. Regular assistants include Duncan MacNaughton and Dave Butcher.

Canada defeated the USA and Australia at the Pacific Four, though they were beaten handily by hosts New Zealand. The tournament was held in Auckland, where they will return for the World Cup later this year. There will be one further test on home soil before departure, against Wales in Halifax on August 27.

FORWARDS
Alex Ellis (Saracens, UK), Ngalula Fuamba (TMR), 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), Mackenzie Carson (Saracens, UK), 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 (University of Canterbury, NZ), Laetitia Royer (Lons, FR), Emma Taylor (Halifax RFC), Pamphinette Buisa (Ottawa Irish), Sophie de Goede (Queen’s Gaels), Fabiola Forteza (Stade Bordelais, FR), 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
Brianna Miller (SABRFC), Justine Pelletier (Stade Bordelais, FR), Mahalia Robinson (Concordia Stingers), Anaїs Holly (TMR), Taylor Perry (Queen’s Gaels), Julia Schell (Guelph Redcoats), Audrey Champagne (CRQ), 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 (Westshore), Maddy Grant (Ottawa Gee-Gees), Sabrina Poulin (Stade Rennais, FR), Elissa Alarie (Westshore)