A. Canada
Kévin Rouet has announced a squad of 32 players to tour South Africa next month. They are:
Forwards
Brittany Kassil, Caroline Crossley, Courtney O’Donnell, DaLeaka Menin, Fabiola Forteza, Gabrielle Senft, Gillian Boag, Holly Phillips, Karen Paquin, Laetitia Royer, McKinley Hunt, Mikiela Nelson, Olivia DeMerchant, Pamphinette Buisa, Rachel Smith, Rori Wood, Sophie de Goede,
Taylor McKnight, Tyson Beukeboom (19)
Backs
Alexandra Tessier, Alysha Corrigan, Carissa Norsten, Claire Gallagher, Fancy Bermudez, Florence Symonds, Julia Schell, Justine Pelletier, Krissy Scurfield, Madison Grant, Olivia Apps, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Taylor Perry (13)
This is the nearest we have yet got to spotting a World Cup squad. Rouet reckons the two-test tour needs precisely the number of players permitted for the RWC. He opts for the ‘safer’ 19:13 split between forwards and backs.
Once more I am impressed by the overall strength on show here. The return of Sophie de Goede puts the finishing touches to the job. I won’t add: ‘if selected’.
The less familiar names are Taylor McKnight and Carissa Norsten. Even as an inexperienced forward, McKnight must have impressed the management enough to find a place in such a strong pack-list.
Norsten is another to come across from the 7s squad. She was SVNS Rookie of the Year in 2024.
Canada have two tests programmed against the Boks: 5 July (Pretoria) and 12 July (Gqeberha). This is a very rare match-up of the two nations. As things stand, I can see only two decisive away wins.
The Maple Leafs’ one remaining fixture before flying to England will be against the Auld Enemy, the USA Eagles, on 1 August in Ottawa.
Rugby Canada have chosen this appropriate moment to announce that Rouet’s contract has been extended to 2027.
B. Ireland
Scott Bemand has announced the names of a Preparation Squad. This is a very different kettle of fish from the Canadian trawl. The Irish are between the first and second block of training sessions (next start: 30 June). With younger players taking part in the Summer 6N Series in Wales, Bemand introduces five new faces:
Forwards
*Ailish Quinn, Aoife Wafer, Brittany Hogan, Cliodhna Moloney-Macdonald, Christy Haney, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Edel McMahon, Eimear Corri Fallon, *Faith Oviawe, Fiona Tuite, Grace Moore, *Ivana Kiripati, Jane Clohessy, Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, Ruth Campbell, Sadhbh McGrath, Sam Monaghan, Sarah Delaney, Shannon Ikahihifo, Siobhan McCarthy (22)
Backs
Amee-Leigh Costigan, Anna McGann, Aoibheann Reilly, Aoife Corey, Aoife Dalton, Beibhinn Parsons, Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Eve Higgins, Kate Flannery, Molly Scuffil- McCabe, *Nancy McGillivray, Nicole Fowley, Stacey Flood, Vicky Elmes Kinlan (16) *uncapped
The most interesting name in the squad is Nancy McGillivray, who, having completed her transition contract with England on 30 June, will now don a green jersey. A few England-based players have made that move in recent years (eg Clara Nielson and Emma Swords) without retaining favour.
Ireland’s equivalent to Sophie de Goede as a “Happy Return” is Sam Monaghan. She offsets the long-regretted absence of Dorothy Wall from a potential RWC squad. Beibhinn Parsons’ re-appearance adds an even sharper cutting-edge to the back-line.
For all the fine players Bemand has at his disposal, to me the reserve strength doesn’t look as impressive as Canada’s.
Coming Fixtures
2 August v Scotland, Cork
9 August v Canada, Belfast
C Australia
The Wallaroos are taking a different route to the RWC. Sam Woods, assistant coach to Jo Yapp, has selected a 26-strong ‘A’ team to take on the Manusina of Samoa in Canberra. Captain is Emily Chancellor. That will help sharpen the selections for the two tests against Wales.
This is no ordinary ‘A’ team. While there will be new faces hoping to make a big impression, the side includes no fewer then 12 capped Wallaroos. Important among them is the former captain, Piper Duck, now at last able to return after a sequence of injuries. Odd figures like Charlotte Caslick will be lurking on the bench.
Last year Samoa beat Australia at the last moment in Apia. A repeat win is less than likely, even though Samoa have qualified for England too.
D. France
The FFR has published some interesting figures concerning playing strength among male and female players. It claims 52,689 licensed females as against 311,681 male. The long-term target is 100,000 women players, and recent growth is equally spectacular. The period 2017-2013 saw a 94% increase in numbers – and that includes the barren period of Covid 19.
There are now 1,100 clubs with a women’s section.
The FFR is being very inventive with new gatherings and competitions to attract girls and women into the game.
E Unconfirmed reports
It has not yet been confirmed – by the BBC or me – that World Rugby will be offering a second trophy on finals day of RWC 2025. It will be for the best single or multiple item of crochet-work.
