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The tension ratchets up considerably this weekend as the World Cup reaches the Semi Final stage. Predictably it’s the top four teams on the rankings who have advanced. Canada will represent the Americas as they take on England, with New Zealand squaring off against France.
It’s fair to say that Canada had the most challenging Quarter Final of the four. France, New Zealand, and England each coasted through their match. The Canadians had some work to do but ultimately were comfortable winners over the USA.
That is a reflection in the disparity of professionalism in the women’s game at the moment, and something World Rugby will need to address moving forward if the tournament is to progress in the future. At moment it sees a fully-professional England side taking on a Canadian team with a mix of semi-pros and amateurs, some of whom have taken leave from their jobs to participate in the event.
When the whistle blows those harsh realities will have to be forgotten. It’s not the only psychological hurdle the Maple Leafs will need to overcome. While Canada are on a team-record eight-game win streak, England haven’t tasted defeat since July 2019 and have now won a world-record 29 consecutive tests.
The two sides famously contested the 2014 World Cup Final in Paris. England were 21-9 winners on that day and since then the Red Roses have beaten the Canadians eight times, with the only defeat coming in July of 2016. Their most recent engagement was a one-sided result in London a year ago, though Canada can draw inspiration from their narrow defeat at Chula Vista in 2019.
Kévin Rouet has made just one change to his match day 23 from the side that beat the Eagles last weekend. It comes on the bench, where flanker Sara Svoboda returns at the expense of Pamphinette Buisa. The split is again seven forwards with Anaïs Holly the only back reserve, a gamble that nearly proved disastrous against the USA following an early knock to Sara Kaljuvee.
Simon Middleton has made two changes to his England lineup. Hannah Botterman comes in at loosehead prop with Vickii Cornborough swapping to the bench. On the left wing Claudia MacDonald returns from injury, with Abby Dow shifting to the right side and Lydia Thompson dropping of the match day squad.
Four of this England team were in the lineup in the 2014 Final. Marlie Packer, Sarah Hunter, and Emily Scarratt were starters with Alex Matthews among the reserves. Karen Paquin and Elissa Alarie started for Canada that day, with the latter a makeshift scrumhalf. Olivia DeMerchant and Tyson Beukeboom were on the bench, with the former starting this time at loosehead prop.
The remainder of the tournament will be played at Auckland’s iconic Eden Park. Where the rain wreaked havoc at times last weekend, conditions look to be near ideal for the Semi Finals.
Notably both sides have similar strengths. Canada’s forwards have bulldozed their way through their opponents to date, but England boast arguably the strongest pack in the competition and a superior kicking game. Out wide the likes of Scarratt and Dow are world class operators and the Canadians will need to close down space rapidly to limit their effect.
All things considered England must be considered clear favorites. Recent form, head-to-head results, world rankings, experience, and professionalism all tip in their direction. For Canada to win they will be to be at their best and put early pressure on the Red Roses to sow seeds of doubt. Regardless of the result, this won’t be the end for the Canucks with a Bronze Final still on offer for the losing team.
Kickoff is set for Saturday 4:30pm local time, Friday 8:30pm Pacific and 11:30pm Eastern time. Live broadcasts can be found on ESPN in Latin America, Peacock in the USA, and on TSN channels 4 and 5 in Canada. A list of broadcasters elsewhere in the world can be seen here.
ENGLAND
1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Zoe Aldroft, 5 Abbie Ward, 6 Alex Matthews, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Sarah Hunter (capt.), 9 Leanne Infante, 10 Zoe Harrison, 11 Claudia MacDonald, 12 Tatyana Heard, 13 Emily Scarratt, 14 Abby Dow, 15 Helena Rowland
Replacements: 16 Lark Davies, 17 Vickii Cornborough, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Rosie Galligan, 20 Poppy Cleall, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Ellie Kildunne
CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 McKinley Hunt, 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Alex Tessier, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Sara Kaljuvee, 13 Alysha Corrigan, 14 Maddy Grant, 15 Elissa Alarie
Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Brittany Kassil, 18 Alex Ellis, 19 Ngalula Fuamba, 20 Tyson Beukeboom, 21 Gabrielle Senft, 22 Sara Svoboda, 23 Anaïs Holly
Date: Saturday, November 5
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kickoff: 16:30 local (Friday 20:30 Pacific, 23:30 Eastern)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistants: Aurelie Groizeleau (France) & Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Broadcasts: ESPN (Latin America), Peacock (USA), TSN 4/5 (Canada)
RECENT HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-11-14 – England 51, Canada 12 (The Stoop, London)
2019-07-06 – Canada 17, England 19 (Elite Athlete Training Center, Chula Vista)
2018-11-18 – England 27, Canada 19 (Castle Park, Doncaster)
2017-11-25 – England 69, Canada 19 (Twickenham, London)
2017-11-21 – England 49, Canada 12 (The Stoop, London)
2017-11-17 – England 79, Canada 5 (Barnet Copthall Stadium, London)
2017-06-13 – Canada 20, England 27 (Rugby Park, Christchurch)
2016-11-26 – England 39, Canada 6 (The Stoop, London)
2016-07-01 – Canada 52, England 17 (Regional Athletic Complex, Salt Lake City)
2015-07-05 – Canada 14, England 15 (Ellerslie Park, Edmonton)
2014-08-17 – England 21, Canada 9 (Stade Jean Bouin, Paris) *World Cup Final
