Sophie de Goede is back in Canada’s Senior Women’s squad. The Saracens star is set to return to the pitch a year after suffering a serious knee injury during training ahead of the Paris Olympics. de Goede is one of 38 players selected by Head Coach Kévin Rouet to take part in a week-long training camp ahead of next month’s tour of South Africa.
Perth, Ontario, will serve as the team’s home base beginning on June 20, after with the squad will be pared down to a traveling group of 32. Canada will take on the Springbok Women on Pretoria on July 5 and July 12 in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). The matches will serve as preparation for the upcoming World Cup, which kicks off on August 22 in England.
Much of the squad is based in Europe, including Loughborough winger Krissy Scurfield who was recently named in the official Women’s Premiership Team of the Season. Canada Sevens star Pamphinette Buisa and recent Exeter signing Maddy Grant return from injury, while former Exeter prop Olivia DeMerchant – a veteran of three World Cups – is back from a lengthy international hiatus.
The Maple Leafs are currently at No2 on the official World Rugby Rankings, behind only World Cup hosts England. They held their spot above New Zealand after drawing the defending world champions during the Pacific Four tournament. Both teams finished unbeaten, with the Black Ferns taking top spot based on overall points differential. Canada’s World Cup preparations will conclude with a test against Ireland in Belfast on August 9.
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Olivia DeMerchant (Halifax Tars)
McKinley Hunt (Saracens, UK)
Brittany Kassil (Guelph Goats)
Mikiela Nelson (Exeter Chiefs, UK)
HOOKER
Gillian Boag (Gloucester-Hartpury, UK)
Holly Phillips (Bristol Bears, UK)
Emily Tuttosi (Exeter Chiefs, UK)
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Alysia Comtois (Ottawa Gee-Gees)
DaLeaka Menin (Exeter Chiefs, UK)
Cassandra Tuffnail (Ealing Trailfinders, UK)
Rori Wood (Ealing Trailfinders, UK)
SECOND ROW
Tyson Beukeboom (Ealing Trailfinders, UK)
Courtney O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, UK)
Laetitia Royer (ASM Romagnat, FR)
Rachel Smith (UBC Thunderbirds)
BACK ROW
Pamphinette Buisa (Ottawa Irish)
Caroline Crossley (Castaway Wanderers)
Sophie de Goede (Saracens, UK)
Fabiola Forteza (Stade Bordelais, FR)
Julia Omokhuale (Leicester Tigers, UK)
Karen Paquin (CRQ)
Gabrielle Senft (Saracens, UK)
SCRUMHALF
Olivia Apps (Lindsay RFC)
Justine Pelletier (Stade Bordelais, FR)
Mahalia Robinson (TMR)
FLYHALF
Claire Gallagher (Leicester Tigers, UK)
Taylor Perry (Exeter Chiefs, UK)
Julia Schell (Ealing Trailfinders, UK)
MIDFIELD
Fancy Bermudez (Saracens, UK)
Maddy Grant (Cornwall Claymores)
Shoshanah Seumanutafa (Counties Manukau, NZ)
Alex Tessier (Exeter Chiefs, UK)
OUTSIDE BACKS
Alysha Corrigan (Saracens, UK)
Paige Farries (Saracens, UK)
Carissa Norsten (UVic Vikes)
Asia Hogan-Rochester (Westshore)
Krissy Scurfield (Loughborough Lightning, UK)
Florence Symonds (UBC Thunderbirds)
The post de Goede returns for Canada ahead of South Africa tour appeared first on Americas Rugby News.
0 Comments