WXV – Canada vs England – ARN Guide

The WXV reaches its conclusion in Vancouver on Saturday night when Canada host England at BC Place. It’s a clash of the top two teams in the world, with both unbeaten in 2024. With just a year to go before next year’s World Cup in England, it’s a chance for each to make a statement.

FORM GUIDE

Current World Ranking: 2 (89.90 points)
2024-10-05 – Canada 21, Ireland 8 (Langley)
2024-09-29 – Canada 46, France 24 (Vancouver)
2024-05-19 – New Zealand 19, Canada 22 (Christchurch)
2024-05-11 – Australia 14, Canada 33 (Sydney)
2024-04-28 – USA 7, Canada 50 (Los Angeles)

Current World Ranking: 1 (96.96 points)
2024-10-06 – New Zealand 31, England 49 (Langley)
2024-09-29 – USA 21, England 61 (Vancouver)
2024-09-14 – England 24, New Zealand 12 (London)
2024-09-07 – England 38, France 19 (Gloucester)
2024-04-27 – France 21, England 42 (Bordeaux)

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

1 McKinley Hunt replaces Brittany Kassil
3 DaLeaka Menin replaces Alex Ellis
5 Laetitia Royer replaces Tyson Beukeboom
6 Pamphinette Buisa replaces Julia Omokhuale
7 Fabiola Forteza replaces Caroline Crossley
11 Paige Farries replaces Alysha Corrigan
14 Asia Hogan-Rochester replaces Fancy Bermudez
15 Julia Schell replaces Taylor Perry

5 Rosie Galligan replaces Abbie Ward
6 Maddie Feaunati replaces Morwenna Talling
14 Bo Westcombe-Evans replaces Abby Dow (HIA)

NOTES

• the result of Saturday’s clash will crown this year’s WXV Division 1 champion, but it won’t have much of an impact on the World Rankings… Canada are now safely in second place and even a heavy loss won’t be enough for France or New Zealand to jump ahead… if England lose they will retain the top spot but would see their significant points lead diminished
• Kévin Rouet has opted for another refresh of his Canada lineup with eight changes in all to the starting side that defeated Ireland… Exeter Chiefs prop DaLeaka Menin returns at tighthead with flanker Pamphinette Buisa recovered from illness that saw her a late scratch last weekend… Asia Hogan-Rochester is handed her first test start on the right wing
• Laetitia Royer’s outstanding form is rewarded with another start at lock… it comes at the expense of Tyson Beukeboom, who was captaining the side in the absence of Sophie de Goede… the on-field leadership role will this week be filled by veteran playmaker Alex Tessier
• eight of Canada’s starters are currently attached to English Premiership clubs, with another four on the bench… second row Courtney Holtkamp formerly played for Loughborough Lightning
• John Mitchell has rotated Rosie Galligan and Maddie Feaunati into his Red Roses pack, while winger Bo Westcombe-Evans comes in for Abby Dow who is ruled out with a head injury
• England haven’t tasted defeat since the 2022 World Cup Final in Auckland, a run of 19 games… they are a perfect nine wins from nine games since Mitchell formally took charge at the start of the year

QUOTES

Kévin Rouet (Head Coach)

“Coming into the tournament we wanted to be in this position, with two wins after two games using a wider group of players from the squad, and a chance to beat England to win WXV. England have shown why they are the best team in the world but we know that if we are at our best on both offence and defense we are a team that can beat them.

“It’s going to be an exciting game, number one versus number two in the world. It’s a long way to the Rugby World Cup but this is a great chance to measure ourselves and see the progress the squad has made.”

John Mitchell (Head Coach)

“Last weekend was an outstanding example of improvement within the group. We want to deliver another high-standard performance against Canada. We remain focused on the challenge that awaits, and we are ready to attack it.”

PREDICTION

Canada are in a rich vein of form and have impressed despite the absence of their talisman Sophie de Goede. It was the defense that took center stage against Ireland, though the attack was left frustrated in the second half. The Red Roses however are a class apart and haven’t lost to the Maple Leafs since the 2016 Super Series, with three convincing wins against them last year. England are clear favorites.

TEAMS

CANADA
1 McKinley Hunt, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 Laetitia Royer, 6 Pamphinette Buisa, 7 Fabiola Forteza, 8 Gabrielle Senft, 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Claire Gallagher, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Alex Tessier (capt.), 13 Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 14 Asia Hogan-Rochester, 15 Julia Schell

Replacements: 16 Sara Cline, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Julia Omokhuale, 21 Olivia Apps, 22 Alysha Corrigan, 23 Fancy Bermudez

ENGLAND
1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Zoe Aldcroft, 5 Rosie Galligan, 6 Maddie Feaunati, 7 Marlie Packer (capt.), 8 Alex Matthews, 9 Natasha Hunt, 10 Holly Aitchison, 11 Jess Breach, 12 Tatyana Heard, 13 Helena Rowland, 14 Bo Westcombe-Evans, 15 Ellie Kildunne

Replacements: 16 Lark Atkin-Davies, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Abbie Ward, 20 Morwenna Talling, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Emily Scarratt

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, October 12
Venue: BC Place, Vancouver
Kickoff: 19:00 local (22:00 Eastern, Sunday 03:00 London)
Weather Forecast: partly cloudy, 57°F (14°C), wind S 1-2mph (2-3km/h)
Broadcasts: TSN1/5 (Canada), RugbyPass TV

OFFICIALS

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistants: Aurélie Groizeleau (France) & Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

HISTORY

HEAD-TO-HEAD (36): England 32, Canada 3, Draw 1
2023-10-27 – England 45, Canada 12 (Dunedin)
2023-09-30 – England 29, Canada 12 (London)
2023-09-23 – England 50, Canada 24 (Exeter)
2022-11-05 – England 26, Canada 19 (Auckland)
2021-11-14 – England 51, Canada 12 (London)
2019-07-06 – Canada 17, England 19 (Chula Vista)
2018-11-18 – England 27, Canada 19 (Doncaster)
2017-11-25 – England 69, Canada 19 (London)
2017-11-21 – England 49, Canada 12 (London)
2017-11-17 – England 79, Canada 5 (London)