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The Pacific Four officially opens on Saturday when Canada takes on the USA at the neutral site in Madrid. Both teams were victorious in the warm-up matches last weekend against South Africa and Spain respectively. It’s been five months since their last meeting, one of two at the World Cup in New Zealand where the Canadians were the better side.
Expecting a significant step up in competition, Interim Eagles coach Rich Ashfield has added considerable experience to his lineup. There are five changes to the starting forward pack, and four to the backline.
Joanna Kitlinski and Catie Benson come into the front row, with Alycia Washington recalled in the second row after a long injury-enforced absence. Rachel Ehrecke and Rachel Johnson are the new flankers, with Georgie Perris-Redding named on the bench. Central Washington prop Tiara A’au is set to make her test debut as a replacement.
Carly Waters tags in for Olivia Ortiz at scrumhalf. Lotte Clapp is in on the left wing, and on the right it’s a first start for Autumn Czaplicki. Tess Feury slots in at fullback with Bulou Mataitoga named among the reserves alongside Kristin Bitter.
The Canadians were not holding back against the Springbok Women and Kévin Rouet has named a nearly identical side to face the Eagles. The only change to the starting roster sees Alex Tessier shifting to flyhalf and Sara Kaljuvee returning at inside center and Julia Schell dropping to the bench.
There are two further alterations among the reserves. Saracens prop Alex Ellis adds experience in place of new cap Cassandra Tuffnail, while Pamphinette Buisa comes in as an extra loose forward replacement with second row Laetitia Royer missing out.
Perfect conditions are again on the forecast on Saturday. The Eagles had the higher-ranked opponent last weekend and were made to work for their victory, while Canada had little trouble after a red card reduced South Africa to just 14 on the field early in the game.
Recent results between the two sides leans heavily towards the Canadians, who have now won seven in a row against the Eagles dating back to July of 2019. On paper the two sides look well matched this time around, but Canada have the more experienced bench. Give the favorites tag to the Maple Leafs.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 11am Eastern, 8am Pacific. Viewers in the USA can watch on FloRugby, with TSN+ available for viewers in Canada. Those located elsewhere can watch a live stream on the World Rugby website.
CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Courtney Holtkamp, 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Sara Svoboda, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Alex Tessier, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Sara Kaljuvee, 13 Fancy Bermudez, 14 Sarah-Maude Lachance, 15 Sabrina Poulin
Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Maya Montiel, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Emma Taylor, 20 MP Fauteux, 21 Pamphinette Buisa, 22 Mahalia Robinson, 23 Julia Schell
USA
1 Hope Rogers, 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Catie Benson, 4 Evi Ashenbrucker, 5 Alycia Washington, 6 Rachel Ehrecke, 7 Rachel Johnson, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Carly Waters, 10 McKenzie Hawkins, 11 Lotte Clapp, 12 Gabby Cantorna, 13 Eti Haungatau, 14 Autumn Czaplicki, 15 Tess Feury
Replacements: 16 Jett Hayward, 17 Maya Learned, 18 Tiara A’au, 19 Megan Neyen, 20 Georgie Perris-Redding, 21 Olivia Ortiz, 22 Kristin Bitter, 23 Bulou Mataitoga
Date: Saturday, April 1
Venue: Estadio Nacional Complutense, Madrid
Kickoff: 16:00 local (08:00 Pacific, 11:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: FloRugby, TSN+, World Rugby
Referee: Amber McLachlan (Australia)
Assistants: Aurélie Groizeleau (France) & Lorena Martinez (France)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)
RECENT HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-10-30 – Canada 32, USA 11 (Auckland)
2022-10-23 – Canada 29, USA 14 (Auckland)
2022-06-05 – Canada 36, USA 5 (Tauranga)
2021-11-05 – USA 13, Canada 26 (Glendale)
2021-11-01 – USA 9, Canada 15 (Glendale)
2019-11-24 – USA 27, Canada 54 (Chula Vista)
2019-11-20 – USA 0, Canada 19 (Chula Vista)
2019-07-10 – USA 20, Canada 18 (Chula Vista)
