Canada v France
This is the match that many people suggest is quite unnecessary. Is it just to provide a curtain-raiser for the big event?
In the light of recent evidence we may wonder how many Kiwis will bother to turn up for a match not involving their beloved Black Ferns. They haven’t done so in any numbers thus far. But they might well be missing a treat.
The curious fact is that this contest is likely to provide some of the very best entertainment of all. We have only to think back to its 2017 equivalent between the USA and France. That was a thriller.
The Maple Leafs and les Bleues stretched their opponents almost to breaking point in two monumental semi-finals. Both will be desperate to return home with a medal in their bag after coming so close a week ago.
The teams
Sophie de Goede (Photo: Fiona Goodall – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Canada:
1. Olivia DeMerchant, 2. Emily Tuttosi, 3. DaLeaka Menin, 4. Courtney Holtkamp, 5. McKinley Hunt, 6. Sara Svoboda, 7. Karen Paquin 8. Sophie de Goede (captain), 9. Justine Pelletier, 10. Alexandra Tessier 11. Paige Farries, 12. Sara Kaljuvee, 13. Alysha Corrigan 14. Maddy Grant, 15. Elissa Alarie
Bench:
16. Gillian Boag, 17. Brittany Kassil, 18. Alex Ellis, 19. Emma Taylor, 20. Tyson Beukeboom, 21. Gabrielle Senft, 22. Fabiola Forteza, 23. Anaïs Holly
Kevin Rouet has made minimal changes to his squad from the clash with England. Up front Sara Svoboda switches places with Fabiola Forteza on the flank; on the bench Emma Taylor finds favour over Ngalula Fuamba.
France:
1 Annaëlle Deshayes, 2 Agathe Sochat, 3 Assia Khalfaoui, 4 Céline Ferer, 5 Madoussou Fall, 6 Gaëlle Hermet (captain), 7 Charlotte Escudéro, 8 Romane Ménager, 9 Pauline Bourdon, 10 Caroline Drouin, 11 Marine Ménager, 12 Gabrielle Vernier, 12 Maëlle Filopon, 14 Joanna Grisez, 15 Emilie Boulard
Bench:
16 Laure Touyé 17 Célia Domain, Coco Lindelauf, 18 Clara Joyeux, 19 Safi N’Diaye 20 Marjorie Mayans 21 Alex Chambon, 22 Jessy Trémoulière, 23 Chloé Jacquet
The young prop, Coco Lindelauf, misses out on a bench place this time; her turn will come soon. And to many people’s delight Jessy Trémoulière is restored to the bench.
We may well be seeing the last of that great warrior, Safi N’Diaye. But if she announces her retirement, it can be with few regrets after such a glorious career. She has remained very vocal in inspiring all the youngsters around her. The one black cloud hanging over her, like the rest of the squad, is that place in a final, which still refuses to appear.
This game will see two of the very best packs in the business, led by two of the outstanding No 8s in world rugby, Sophie de Goede and Romane Ménager. And the backs don’t hang about either.
France may have the better control of territory. Both their halves can kick them into advantageous areas.
This could well become another of the memorable matches to grace this RWC.
Officials:
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
ARs: Joy Neville (IRFU) and Lauren Jenner (NZRU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
We have to feel very sorry for Sara Cox. This is her fourth time at an RWC, and she’s still only 32. But because of England’s ongoing success, she has not yet been able to take a final. This is the next best the refs’ committee can offer her.
