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Preparations for next month’s inaugural WXV tournament in New Zealand take a big step up on Saturday when Canada takes on England at Exeter’s Sandy Park. It’s a rematch of the epic World Cup Semi Final contested by the two sides in Auckland 10 months ago.
On that day England were a step ahead though the Canadians were within striking distance through to the final whistle. Despite the defeat it was Canada’s best performance in years and they will be desperate to find victory. It’s been seven years since the Maple Leafs last bested the Red Roses, in Salt Lake City, and they have never done so on English soil.
Kévin Rouet has named a similar lineup to the one that ran out at Eden Park last year. There are five personnel changes to the starting side and two positional switches. One of those is up front where McKinley Hunt switches from lock to loosehead prop, and Gabrielle Senft is in on the flank for the unavailable Karen Paquin.
The backline sees the return of Alex Tessier from injury but it’s at fullback where she will play, with youngster Claire Gallagher continuing at flyhalf. With Sara Kaljuvee unavailable and Alysha Corrigan left out, Maddy Grant moves from wing to inside center with Fancy Bermudez at No13. Florence Symonds fills the vacancy on the wing.
There are two notable inclusions among the reserves. Taylor Perry returns to the squad for the first time since the flyhalf suffered a knee injury in training on the eve of the World Cup. Also back in the match day selection after a five-year hiatus is former World Rugby Player of the Year Magali Harvey.
Former Leicester and England lock Louis Deacon is the interim Head Coach of the Red Roses after Simon Middleton stepped down earlier this year. Deacon has named an experienced side that includes former Canadian international Mackenzie Carson at loosehead prop. Lark Davies starts at hooker for what will be her 50th test match.
Saracens flanker Marlie Packer skippers the side and is the most experienced player in the side with 94 caps on her resume. In Abby Dow and Jess Breach the lineup features a pair of world class finishers. It was Dow who scored two decisive tries to lead England to victory in the Eden Park classic, with Packer grabbing one early in the game.
The forecast for kickoff says cloudy but otherwise calm. Both sides are intent on making an impact in the WXV but won’t be looking past this game, and the result in Auckland is still fresh in the memory. There’s no question Canada are up to it among the forwards, but England are the top-ranked side in the world and have game breakers in the backline that make them favorites to get the win at home.
Kickoff is set for 2:30pm local time, 6:30am Pacific, 9:30am Eastern. Viewers in Canada can watch on TSN’s digital platforms, with live streams on England’s YouTube and Facebook pages for those elsewhere.
ENGLAND
1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Lark Davies, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Rosie Galligan, 5 Cath O’Donnell, 6 Morwenna Talling, 7 Marlie Packer (capt.), 8 Zoe Aldcroft, 9 Lucy Packer, 10 Holly Aitchison, 11 Abby Dow, 12 Tatyana Heard, 13 Helena Rowland, 14 Jess Breach, 15 Ellie Kildunne
Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Sarah Beckett, 20 Maisy Allen, 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Megan Jones, 23 Claudia MacDonald
CANADA
1 McKinley Hunt, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Courtney Holtkamp, 6 Gabrielle Senft, 7 Fabiola Forteza, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Claire Gallagher, 11 Florence Symonds, 12 Maddy Grant, 13 Fancy Bermudez, 14 Paige Farries, 15 Alex Tessier
Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Olivia DeMerchant, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Laetitia Royer, 20 Sara Svoboda, 21 Olivia Apps, 22 Taylor Perry, 23 Magali Harvey
Date: Saturday, September 23
Venue: Sandy Park, Exeter
Kickoff: 14:30 local (06:30 Pacific, 09:30 Eastern)
Broadcasts: Facebook, TSN Digital, YouTube
Referee: Lauren Jenner (New Zealand)
Assistants: Clara Munarini (Italy) & Clotilde Benvenuti (Italy)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)
RECENT HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-11-05 – England 26, Canada 19 (Eden Park, Auckland)
2021-11-14 – England 51, Canada 12 (The Stoop, London)
2019-07-06 – Canada 17, England 19 (Elite Athlete Training Center, Chula Vista)
2018-11-18 – England 27, Canada 19 (Castle Park, Doncaster)
2017-11-25 – England 69, Canada 19 (Twickenham, London)
2017-11-21 – England 49, Canada 12 (The Stoop, London)
2017-11-17 – England 79, Canada 5 (Barnet Copthall Stadium, London)
2017-06-13 – Canada 20, England 27 (Rugby Park, Christchurch)
2016-11-26 – England 39, Canada 6 (The Stoop, London)
2016-07-01 – Canada 52, England 17 (Regional Athletic Complex, Salt Lake City)
