Test Match – England vs Canada 2 – ARN Guide

Canada will look for an improved performance when it takes on England for a second time in as many weeks on Saturday. StoneX Stadium in London is backdrop on this occasion, the same venue (then known as Allianz Stadium) where the Red Roses thrashed the Maple Leafs by a record score in 2017.

The Canadians were a far cry from their World Cup best last week, conceding 50 points with a confused backline unable to defend the rampant English attack. Kévin Rouet has made four personnel changes to the starting lineup, and will have to do without two of his most experienced backs.

Alex Tessier and Magali Harvey are absent from the match day squad, with 20-year-old sevens star Krissy Scurfield handed a debut on the wing and Taylor Perry – typically a flyhalf – starting at inside center. Maddy Grant moves to fullback with midfielder Shoshanah Seumanutafa drafted onto the bench.

Things were far more competitive up front and the forward selection is effectively the same with two rotations. Olivia DeMerchant swaps in at loosehead prop with Sara Svoboda running out at openside flanker. McKinley Hunt and Fabiola Forteza take up reserve roles this week.

Louis Deacon meanwhile has rung the changes in his England side with nine alterations to the starting XV. It’s a more experienced lineup than last week’s side with hooker Amy Cokayne, scrumhalf Natasha Hunt, and inside center Amber Reed all well above the half-century mark in test caps. Marlie Packer switches from flanker to No8 in her 96th international.

Maisy Allen is handed her first start at openside with blindside Morwenna Talling the only other starter with a single-digit cap total. Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Zoe Aldcroft, and Sarah Beckett boost the tight five with Megan Jones and Claudia MacDonald joining the backline.

Conditions are expected to be ideal on Saturday, which likely works in England’s favor given their superiority on attack last weekend. Expect the inexperienced and experimental Canadian backline to be under immense pressure once again. It’s hard to see how the Maple Leafs can close the gap against a vastly experienced Red Roses lineup.

Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 7am Pacific, 10am Eastern. Canadian viewers can watch on TSN+ with a Facebook and YouTube stream available for those located elsewhere.

 

ENGLAND
1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Zoe Aldcroft, 5 Sarah Beckett, 6 Morwenna Talling, 7 Maisy Allen, 8 Marlie Packer (capt.), 9 Natasha Hunt, 10 Holly Aitchison, 11 Claudia MacDonald, 12 Amber Reed, 13 Megan Jones, 14 Jess Breach, 15 Ellie Kildunne

Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Cath O’Donnell, 20 Rosie Galligan, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Sophie Bridger, 23 Abby Dow

CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Courtney Holtkamp, 6 Gabrielle Senft, 7 Sara Svoboda, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Claire Gallagher, 11 Krissy Scurfield, 12 Taylor Perry, 13 Fancy Bermudez, 14 Paige Farries, 15 Maddy Grant

Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 McKinley Hunt, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Laetitia Royer, 20 Fabiola Forteza, 21 Olivia Apps, 22 Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 23 Florence Symonds

Date: Saturday, September 30
Venue: StoneX Stadium, London
Kickoff: 15:00 local (07:00 Pacific, 10:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: Facebook, TSN+, YouTube

Referee: Amber McLachlan (Australia)
Assistants: Maria Latos (Germany) & Adele Robert (Belgium)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

RECENT HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-09-23 – England 50, Canada 24 (Sandy Park, Exeter)
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 (Allianz 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)