July Internationals – Canada vs Italy – ARN Match Guide

Canada will host Italy in Langford on Sunday in a one-off test as part of the build-up to October’s World Cup in New Zealand, where they will meet again in Pool B. Remarkably it’s just the second time they have faced each other, the last coming over 30 years ago at the 1991 World Cup in Cardiff.

There were mixed emotions for Kévin Rouet’s charges at the Pacific Four last month. Wins over the USA and Australia were tempered by a shutout defeat against New Zealand. After a week-long training camp, a experimental lineup has been selected.

Emma Taylor comes into the second row, with Courtney Holtkamp switching to the blindside flank. Fabiola Forteza will get a shot at the openside flanker position after recovering fully from injury, with Karen Paquin waiting on the bench that shows a 6/2 split.

Julia Schell will win her second cap, her first start at flyhalf, with a chance to kick-start a misfiring backline. Maddy Grant hopes to provide some punch with a start at outside center, with Sara Kaljuvee moving in one spot to inside center.

The Azzurre finished 5th in a competitive Six Nations but recorded important wins over Scotland and Wales. They are now two spots below Canada in 6th on the World Rankings, marginally behind the USA. Andrea Di Giandomenico has selected an experienced side to face the Canadians.

Elisa Giordano leads the side out, one of seven starters with over 50 caps. There is another in regular captain Manuela Furlan on the bench. At the other end of the spectrum, 21-year-old Capitolina winger Francesca Granzotto is set to make her test debut as a replacement.

Conditions at game time should be ideal with sun on the forecast. Both sides are looking to test different combinations but if Canada are to consider themselves Semi Final favorites for the World Cup, a positive result will be needed. Give the home side the favorites tag.

Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 6pm Eastern. A live broadcast will be available on TSN 1.

CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Emma Taylor, 5 Tyson Beukeboom, 6 Courtney Holtkamp, 7 Fabiola Forteza, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller, 10 Julia Schell, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Sara Kaljuvee, 13 Maddy Grant, 14 Sabrina Poulin, 15 Elissa Alarie

Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Maya Montiel, 19 McKinley Hunt, 20 Karen Paquin, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Justine Pelletier, 23 Alex Tessier

ITALY
1 Silvia Turani, 2 Melissa Bettoni, 3 Lucia Gai, 4 Sara Tounesi 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Ilaria Arrighetti, 7 Beatrice Veronese, 8 Elisa Giordano (capt.), 9 Sofia Stefan, 10 Veronica Madia, 11 Maria Magatti, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 13 Michela Sillari, 14 Aura Muzzo, 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi

Replacements: 16 Vittoria Vecchini, 17 Gaia Maris, 18 Sara Seye, 19 Valeria Fedrighi, 20 Giada Franco, 21 Francesca Granzotto, 22 Alyssa D’Incà, 23 Manuela Furlan

Date: Sunday, July 24
Venue: Starlight Stadium, Langford
Kickoff: 15:00 local (18:00 Eastern)
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistants: Julianne Zussman (Canada) & Kat Roche (USA)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)
Broadcasts: TSN 1

HISTORICAL RESULTS
1991-04-12 – Canada 6, Italy 0 (Cardiff, Wales)