Tessier to lead Canada in World Cup quest

Alex Tessier will lead Canada in their pursuit of World Cup glory in England next month. The 31-year-old playmaker has been named skipper at what will be her third appearance at the flagship tournament. Former captain Sophie de Goede will continue to focus on her return from a long-term knee injury. Both Tessier and de Goede have earned prior nominations for World Rugby Player of the Year.

Overall it’s a squad full of experience, with 21 of the 32 names part of Canada’s team that finished fourth at the 2022 edition in New Zealand. DaLeaka Menin and Brittany Kassil match Tessier’s tournament count, while Tyson Beukeboom, Karen Paquin, and Olivia DeMerchant are set to play in their fourth World Cup. Taylor McKnight is the least-capped selection having recently debuted against South Africa.

Leicester Tigers prop Rori Wood has been ruled out with injury. Perhaps the most notable omissions are Loughborough flyer Krissy Scurfield and dynamic flanker Julia Omokhuale, who will join Saracens after starring with Leicester. Scurfield was the only Canadian named in the English Premiership’s Team of the Season for 2024-25. All three were in Canada’s Pacific Four squad earlier this year.

Canada are currently ranked 2nd in the world, one spot ahead of defending World Cup champions New Zealand. The two sides fought to a draw at Christchurch in May. Hosts England are tournament favorites, having won 25 consecutive matches since the narrow loss to the Black Ferns in the 2022 Final.

There is one remaining warm-up match for the Maple Leafs, opposite the USA in Ottawa on August 1. Canada have been drawn in Pool B at the tournament with Fiji their first opponent in York on August 23.

PROP
Olivia DeMerchant (Halifax Tars)
McKinley Hunt (Saracens, UK)
Brittany Kassil (Guelph Goats)
DaLeaka Menin (Exeter Chiefs, UK)
Maya Montiel (Saracens, UK)
Mikiela Nelson (Exeter Chiefs, UK)

HOOKER
Gillian Boag (Gloucester-Hartpury, UK)
Taylor McKnight (Guelph Gryphons)
Emily Tuttosi (Exeter Chiefs, 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)
Karen Paquin (CRQ)
Gabrielle Senft (Saracens UK)

SCRUMHALF
Olivia Apps (Lindsay RFC)
Justine Pelletier (Stade Bordelais, FR)

FLYHALF/FULLBACK
Claire Gallagher (Leicester Tigers, UK)
Taylor Perry (Exeter Chiefs, UK)
Julia Schell (Ealing Trailfinders, UK)

MIDFIELD
Shoshanah Seumanutafa (Counties Manukau, NZ)
Florence Symonds (UBC Thunderbirds)
Alex Tessier (Exeter Chiefs, UK)

OUTSIDE BACKS
Fancy Bermudez (Saracens, UK)
Alysha Corrigan (Saracens, UK)
Paige Farries (Saracens, UK)
Asia Hogan-Rochester (Westshore)
Sarah-Maude Lachance (Stade Bordelais, FR)

STAFF
Head Coach: Kévin Rouet
Assistant Coach: Alex Austerberry
Assistant Coach: Carolyn McEwen
Assistant Coach: Conor Twomey
Assistant Coach: David Butcher
Assistant Coach: Iain Monaghan
Assistant Coach: Jocelyn Barrieau
Assistant Coach: Martial Lagain
Strength & Conditioning: Clarence Gay
Strength & Conditioning: Travis Dorsey
Analyst: Stacey Maskelyne
Analyst: Richard Owen
Team Doctor: Anthony Dixon
Team Doctor: Adam Pyle
Physiotherapist: Allison Rodway
Physiotherapist: Amelie Michaud
Team Manager: Dustin Hopkins