Canada set for Super Series

Sandro Fiorino has trimmed his Canada squad to 30 players for the trip to San Diego for the Women’s Rugby Super Series. All were part of the extended group that participated in a 10-day combined training camp with the USA at Guelph University last month.

Laura Russell continues as captain, one of 10 returning players from the 2017 World Cup roster. Other forwards include props DaLeaka Menin and Olivia DeMerchant, second row Tyson Beukeboom, and flanker Jacey Grusnick. The most notable absentee is lock or loose forward Cindy Nelles.

Scrumhalf pair Lori Josephson and Brianna Miller were both in Ireland, as were midfielders Alex Tessier and Amanda Thornborough and fullback Elissa Alarie. Former St. FX centre and Olympic Bronze medalist Sara Kaljuvee makes the squad after switching over from the sevens program.

Canada opens their tournament on Friday against the World Cup champions New Zealand. After that it’s matches against Six Nations sides France and England, and finally hosts USA. All matches will be broadcast live on FloRugby. Tickets are available now on the USA Rugby site.

FORWARDS
Olivia DeMerchant (Fredericton Loyalists), Veronica Harrigan (London St. George’s), Maude Laliberté (CRQ), DaLeaka Menin (Calgary Hornets), Gillian Boag (Capilano), Laura Russell (capt., Toronto Nomads). Tyson Beukeboom (Cowichan Piggies), Ngalula Fuamba (TMR), Courtney Holtkamp (Red Deer Titans), McKinley Hunt (Aurora Barbarians), Sophie de Goede (Castaway Wanderers), Fabiola Forteza (CRQ), Jacey Grusnick (Barrhaven Scottish), Gabrielle Senft (Castaway Wanderers), Janna Slevinky (Kingston Panthers), Sara Svoboda (Toronto Saracens)

BACKS
Lori Josephson (Guelph Redcoats), Brianna Miller (SABRFC), Taylor Black (Oakville Crusaders), Anaïs Holly (TMR), Sara Kaljuvee (Toronto Scottish), Alex Tessier (SABRFC), Marie Thibault (CRQ), Amanda Thornborough (Westshore), Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown RFC), Paige Farries (Westshore), Marie-Pier Fauteux (Sherbrooke Abénakis), Sabrina Poulin (TMR), Elissa Alarie (SABRFC), Irene Patrinos (Toronto Saracens)

FIXTURES
Fri, June 28 – vs New Zealand
Tues, July 2 – vs France
Sat, July 6 – vs England
Wed, July 10 – vs USA