Super Series Preview – Canada vs France

Round 2 of the Women’s Rugby Super Series takes place on Tuesday with the first of two matches between Canada and France. It was in the Super Series three years ago when they last met, a 29-10 win for the Canadians in Utah. In fact the French have lost three straight to Canada, their last win coming in November 2013.

It will be a day of firsts for France. Their first match of the tournament, the first test under new coach Stéphane Eymard, and two new caps on the bench in prop Célia Domain and second row Madoussou Fall. The latter has been called up to replace the injured Lénaïg Corson, one of two changes to the French squad. The other has seen back row Romane Ménager ruled out with Brandy Cazorla now to join up with the team in San Diego.

The absence of Corson weakens only the reserves, as the starting second row of Safi N’Diaye and Audrey Forlani is equally impressive. Gaëlle Hermet captains the side on the flank with the powerful Fiona Lecat assuming Ménager’s role as primary ball carrier from the No8 position.

“We are eager to start the tournament because we will play the best. This allows you to calibrate and gauge yourself. It’s a great tour waiting for us,” said Hermet in a media release. “We will train in a different context than the CNR [French National Training Center] and thus to have the opportunity to live in similar conditions as the World Cup.”

Toulouse halfback Laure Sansus is recalled to the starting side with clubmate Maëlle Filopon starting at outside center. Montpellier duo Marine Ménager and Cyrielle Banet are named on the wings, and Élise Pignot stands in at fullback with World Rugby Player of the Year Jessy Trémoulière waiting her turn from the bench.

Canada coach Sandro Fiorino has made seven changes to the run-on side that came up short against New Zealand on Friday. Captain Laura Russell is rested with Gillian Boag getting the start at hooker, and World Cup duo Tyson Beukeboom and Jacey Grusnick add experience at lock. Sophie de Goede switches to her preferred position at the back of the scrum with Gabrielle Senft dropping out to make room.

It’s a new halfback combination in Lori Josephson and youngster Taylor Black. The latter has World Cup experience to work with in the midfield as Alex Tessier shifts out one spot to inside center with Amanda Thornborough running at outside center. Sabrina Poulin comes in on the wing as Elissa Alarie shifts to fullback, the veteran also captaining the side.

Kickoff is set for 2:15pm local time, 5:15pm Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on FloRugby in the USA and France 4 TV. Tickets are available now on the USA Rugby site.

CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Gillian Boag, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Jacey Grusnick, 6 Janna Slevinsky, 7 Fabiola Forteza, 8 Sophie de Goede, 9 Lori Josephson, 10 Taylor Black, 11 Sabrina Poulin, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Amanda Thornborough, 14 Paige Farries, 15 Elissa Alarie (capt.)

Replacements: 16 Ngalula Fuamba, 17 Laura Russell, 18 Maude Laliberté, 19 Courtney Holtkamp, 20 Sara Svoboda, 21 Marie-Pier Fauteux, 22 Brianna Miller, 23 Alysha Corrigan

FRANCE
1 Lise Arricastre, 2 Agathe Sochat, 3 Clara Joyeux, 4 Safi N’Diaye, 5 Audrey Forlani, 6 Gaëlle Hermet (capt.), 7 Coumba Diallo, 8 Fiona Lecat, 9 Laure Sansus, 10 Emma Coudert, 11 Marine Ménager, 12 Morgane Peyronnet, 13 Maëlle Filopon, 14 Cyrielle Banet, 15 Élise Pignot

Replacements: 16 Laure Touyé, 17 Célia Domain, 18 Annaëlle Deshayes, 19 Madoussou Fall, 20 Céline Ferer, 21 Pauline Bourdon, 22 Camille Cabalou, 23 Jessy Trémoulière

Date: Tuesday, July 2
Venue: Elite Athlete Training Center, Chula Vista
Kickoff: 14:15 local (17:15 Eastern)
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USAR) & Kat Roche (USAR)
Broadcasts: FloRugby (USA), France 4 (France)