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Canada will play their final home tune-up for the World Cup against Wales in Halifax on Saturday. It’s fifth time in five years they have collided, and the 13th all told. To date the Canadians have won eight of the dozen meetings including four straight, with two draws.
Head Coach Kévin Rouet has made three personnel changes and three positional switches from the team that defeated Italy in July. Sophie de Goede continues as captain and the dynamic No8 now looks certain to lead the team in New Zealand.
Karen Paquin is recalled on the No7 shirt, with Fabiola Forteza switching to No6. Courtney Holtkamp moves back into the second row from the flank with Halifax resident Emma Taylor pushed to the bench. Ngalula Fuamba is set to make her first appearance of the year as a reserve lock.
Taylor Perry returns at flyhalf with Julia Schell one of only two replacement backs. Alex Tessier comes in at No12 with Sara Kaljuvee pushing out one spot in the midfield, and Maddy Grant starting on the wing. Sabrina Poulin is left out entirely.
Ioan Cunningham has taken a very different approach with his Welsh side, opting to field a number of fringe players. There are test debuts for winger Lowri Norkett and reserve scrumhalf Eloise Hayward, while former England international Carys Williams will make her first appearance in a Wales shirt.
Light rain will lead into the match though the forecast is sunny for kickoff. Canada have proven superior in recent years, and at 4th on the World Rankings are five spots up on Wales. In front of a partisan crowd and with a stronger lineup than their guests, look for another convincing win for the Maple Leafs.
Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific, 9pm Cardiff. A live broadcast is available for Canadian viewers on TSN 1 and 4.
CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 Tyson Beukeboom, 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Taylor Perry, 11 Maddy Grant, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Sara Kaljuvee, 14 Paige Farries, 15 Elissa Alarie
Replacements: 16 Laura Russell, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Emma Taylor, 20 Ngalula Fuamba, 21 Sara Svoboda, 22 Justine Pelletier, 23 Julia Schell
WALES
1 Cara Hope, 2 Kat Evans, 3 Donna Rose, 4 Abbie Fleming, 5 Natalia John, 6 Beth Lewis, 7 Manon Johnes, 8 Sioned Harries, 9 Ffion Lewis, 10 Elinor Snowsill, 11 Lowri Norkett, 12 Hannah Jones (capt.), 13 Carys Williams, 14 Jasmine Joyce, 15 Kayleigh Powell
Replacements: 16 Kelsey Jones, 17 Caryl Thomas, 18 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19 Georgia Evans, 20 Siwan Lillicrap, 21 Eloise Hayward, 22 Lleucu George, 23 Caitlin Lewis
Date: Saturday, August 27
Venue: Wanderers Grounds, Halifax
Kickoff: 17:00 local (13:00 Pacific, 16:00 Eastern, 21:00 Cardiff)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistants: Julianne Zussman (Canada) & Kat Roche (USA)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)
Broadcasts: TSN 1/4
RECENT HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-11-21 – Wales 7, Canada 24 (Cardiff)
2018-11-24 – Wales 21, Canada 38 (Cardiff)
2017-08-22 – Canada 52, Wales 0 (Belfast)
2017-08-13 – Canada 15, Wales 0 (Dublin)
