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Canada’s tour continues on Wednesday when they face the New Zealand Black Ferns in a battle of the top two teams on the official World Rugby Rankings. The match takes place at Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin in a preview of what might lay ahead in next year’s Women’s World Cup also set to be hosted by Ireland.
Head coach François Ratier has retained an identical starting lineup from the 48-7 thrashing of Ireland on Saturday with the only two changes to the match day squad coming on the bench. Julia Folk replaces Gillian Boag as reserve hooker and Anaïs Holly steps in for Mackenzie Higgs to cover the inside backs.
The Black Ferns defeated Canada by a score of 40-22 in last year’s Women’s Super Series, and twice during the build-up to the 2014 World Cup. This match serves as a prelude not only for the World Cup but also to a planned tour to New Zealand in the spring in preparation for next year’s tournament.
Kickoff is set for 1pm local time, 8am Eastern. The match will be streamed live on YouTube by Irish Rugby.
CANADA
1 Carolyn McEwen, 2 Laura Russell, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Latoya Blackwood, 5 Kayla Mack, 6 Jacey Grusnick, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Kelly Russell (capt.), 9 Chelsea Guthrie, 10 Emily Belchos, 11 Magali Harvey, 12 Andrea Burk, 13 Alex Tessier, 14 Elissa Alarie, 15 Julianne Zussman
16 Julia Folk, 17 Olivia DeMerchant, 18 Demi Stamatakis, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Barbara Mervin, 21 Brianna Miller, 22 Anaïs Holly, 23 Brittany Waters
