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Canada’s World Cup captain will be part of history when she runs out with the first women’s Barbarians side at Thomond Park on November 10. Kelly Russell is one of eight players confirmed for the landmark match against Munster, the first of its kind for the 147-year-old invitational side. The move comes as a response to the increasing popularity of women’s rugby and in particular the recent World Cup in Ireland.
Also named in the squad are England pair Claire Cripps and Megan Goddard, Wales outside back Elen Evans, former Scotland captain Susie Brown, former Ireland captain Fiona Coghlan, New Zealand Black Ferns great Emma Jensen, and French flyhalf Christelle Le Duff. The team will be coached by Giselle Mather, a former World Cup winner as a player with England and current Director for Rugby for the Wasps FC women’s side.
The Barbarians are a world-renowned rugby brand that often attracts the biggest names in the sport to play friendly matches against both international and club sides. Part of the tradition is for players to wear their home club socks along with the traditional black and white hooped jerseys. The late Jerry Collins of All Blacks fame once wore the socks of English club Barnstaple in a Barbarians match at Twickenham after playing for the club’s 2nd XV just weeks before.
Several Canadians have represented the Barbarians in the past, most recently record points scorer James Pritchard in 2015. Russell will have the honor of being the first women’s player recognized and will surely pave the way for many more in the future.
