Braves Rugby 7s Camps Announced

Rugby Alberta is proud to launch the first Braves Rugby 7s Camps — part of our new Indigenous rugby program, Braves Rugby. These camps mark the next step in growing the game and celebrating Indigenous participation in rugby across Alberta.

Open to Indigenous youth of all skill levels, the Braves Rugby Camps are a fun and inclusive opportunity to learn rugby fundamentals, build community, and experience the spirit of the game. Participants will take part in skills sessions, games, and team activities led by experienced coaches in a welcoming environment.

Be Brave like a Buffalo and join us for one of our upcoming camps! 🦬

📍 Edmonton Camp

Date: Sunday, October 19
Location: Strathcona Druids RFC — 23360 Twp Rd 524A, Sherwood Park
Time: 14:00–16:00

📍 Calgary Camp

Date: Sunday, October 26
Location: Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club — 4334 18 St NE, Calgary 
Time: 14:00–16:00

These camps are free to attend — just bring your energy and enthusiasm!

🔗 Register now to secure your spot: [Click Here]

Braves Rugby 7s – Call for Players, Coaches & Volunteers

We’re excited to launch a new Indigenous Rugby 7s program and are gathering interest for our first Braves 7s Camp!

📅 Camp Dates: October 18 & October 26
📍 Location: To be determined based on survey responses

We’re inviting players to share their contact information to stay updated and get involved. Click Here to fill out our interest form.

We’re also looking for coaches and volunteers to join the Rugby Alberta Braves program. Level 1 coach education will be provided to help support programs across multiple communities.

If you’re interested in coaching or volunteering, please contact snesbitt@rugbyalberta.com

Let’s grow the game together!

CANADA’S ROSTER SET FOR WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL AGAINST ENGLAND 

Match anticipated to set rugby viewership records – live broadcast on TSN1, TSN4, and just announced on CTV2. Coverage starts with an extended one-hour pre-game show at 10:00AM EST / 7:00AM PST.

September 25, 2025 (London, England) — For only the second time in history, Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team will compete in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final. Head coach Kevin Rouet has named the match-day roster set to take on England for rugby’s biggest prize this Saturday, September 27, at 8:00 a.m. PST / 11:00 a.m. EST (4:00 p.m. local time) at Allianz Stadium in London. The final will be played in front of a sold-out crowd of 82,000 — the largest audience in women’s rugby history.

“The focus remains on ourselves this week, nothing changes in how we prepare from the last game,” said Rouet. “Of course, we are happy to have made it to the World Cup finals but there is still a job to be done, and I believe in all the players and staff we have here that we will be ready to go for Saturday.”

Rouet has opted for an unchanged lineup following Canada’s semi-final performance, where the team defeated reigning World Cup champions, the New Zealand Black Ferns, by a score of 34–19.

Rouet added: “Every week the coaches are faced with such a hard decision as we believe that all 32 players we have in the squad are amazing rugby players and have a positive impact on the game. We decided to be consistent after a performance we were really happy with against New Zealand, but it will take all the players we have with us to help us win a World Cup.”

Canada scored five tries in that semi-final match, courtesy of Justine Pelletier (named Mastercard Player of the Match), Asia Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds, Sophie de Goede, and Alex Tessier. The team also delivered a flawless performance around the breakdown, in the scrum and won 14 out of their 15 total lineouts.

The last time Canada and England met was in the WXV 1 finale last year in Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada struck early through Justine Pelletier and held a 12–7 lead going into the second half following a converted try by Alex Tessier. However, England responded with two late tries to secure a 21–12 victory and claim the WXV 1 title.

 

WHERE TO WATCH 
Coverage of the final between Canada and England will be available on TSN1 and TSN4, with exciting additional coverage just announced on CTV2. Canadians can tune in for an extended one-hour pre-game show starting at 10:00AM EST / 7:00AM PST with kickoff at 11:00AM EST / 8:00AM PST.

CANADA’S RUGBY WORLD CUP FINALS MATCH DAY ROSTER VS ENGLAND

1. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens (37 caps)
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (40 caps) 
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (68 caps) 
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (40 caps)
5. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby (52 caps)   
6. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (12 caps)
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec (50 caps)
8. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (40 caps)

9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (42 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs (22 caps)
11. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (7 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (65 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia (17 caps)
14. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens (25 caps)

15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / CastawayWanderers / Ealing Trailfinders (31 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC (38 caps) 
17. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats (52 caps)
18. Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC (65 caps)
19. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (83 caps)
20. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens (21 caps)
21. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (39 caps)
22. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC (24 caps)
23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (24 caps)

MISSION: WIN RUGBY WORLD CUP  
The Mission: Win Rugby World Cup campaign was launched by Rugby Canada to close a $1 million dollar funding gap in sending the best-ever prepared Canadian team to a Rugby World Cup. Rugby Canada CEO met with Head Coach Kevin Rouet at the outset of the season and mapped an ideal training and preparation schedule. It totaled $3.6 million.  The union equally supports women’s and men’s teams, contributing $2.6 million – the highest Rugby Canada has supported a high performance team. Currently at 95% to its $1 million fundraising goal, proceeds from the campaign directly support priorities of the team – pre-tournament training camps, warm-up matches, travel, nutrition, and daily operations of having the group together longer.

The Mission campaign continues to accept donations. Visit www.rugby.ca/en/donate for more information or LINK HERE for the donation page.

Rugby Alberta Launches Endowment Fund to Support Alberta Athletes

Rugby Alberta is proud to announce the creation of the Rugby Alberta Endowment Fund, established in May 2025 in partnership with the Canadian Rugby Foundation.

What Is the Fund?

The Rugby Alberta Endowment Fund was created to establish a Player Assistance Fund. Its purpose is to support Alberta athletes who face financial barriers to participating in high-performance rugby competitions.

This includes helping athletes with costs related to training camps, travel, competitions, and talent identification programs. By removing financial barriers, more athletes will have the chance to compete at higher levels and pursue opportunities to represent both Alberta and Canada.

Why This Matters

High-performance rugby can be expensive. Costs such as travel, coaching, and competition fees can prevent talented athletes from advancing. The Rugby Alberta Endowment Fund provides a sustainable way to ensure athletes are supported, so financial limitations don’t stand in the way of their development.

This initiative reflects the shared objectives of Rugby Alberta, Rugby Canada, and the Canadian Rugby Foundation to develop and grow rugby across Canada.

Double Your Impact

Rugby Alberta will match all donations made before November 15, 2025, up to $25,000.

All donations are also eligible for charitable tax receipts through the Canadian Rugby Foundation.

This means your contribution will go further in helping Alberta athletes succeed.

How to Support

Donations can be made online:
👉 [Donate to the Rugby Alberta Endowment Fund]

CANADA LOCKS IN MATCH DAY SQUAD FOR SEMI-FINAL BATTLE AGAINST NEW ZEALAND AT RUGBY WORLD CUP  

September 17, 2025 (Bristol, England) – With a place in the Rugby World Cup final on the line, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team, Kevin Rouet, has announced Canada’s match day roster for their semi-final clash against the New Zealand Black Ferns. The game will take place on Friday, September 19, at 11:00 a.m. PT / 2:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. local time in England) at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.

In their last two encounters, Canada has defeated and drawn with the Black Ferns who are the defending Rugby World Cup champions. In 2024, Canada earned a historic 22–19 victory over New Zealand to win the Pacific Four Series. Earlier this year in Christchurch, the Black Ferns scored a last-minute try to draw level with Canada, ranked second in the world, at 27-27. Despite a late go-ahead try from Shoshanah Seumanutafa in the 76th minute, a missed conversion by New Zealand attack saw the match end in a draw.

“We have shown over the past two years that we are one of the best teams in the world, and our last two results against New Zealand support that,” said Rouet. “We have every reason to believe that we can win this game. On Friday, we take another step toward the ultimate goal we have been building toward over our first four games and the last three years. It will be a short week of preparation, but the team will be ready.”

Canada’s lineup remains unchanged from the 23-player roster that delivered a 46–5 quarter-final victory over Australia last weekend.

As a team, Canada has outscored their opponents 193-31 in four games at the Rugby World Cup. They lead the tournament in carries with 622 and sit second overall in offloads with 66 on their way to scoring 30 tries so far.

Defensively, Karen Paquin—set to earn her 50th cap for Canada this weekend—leads the team with 57 tackles. DaLeaka Menin, currently third on the team in tackles with 41, will earn her 68th cap, moving her into second place on Canada’s all-time cap list for women.

On attack, Canada will once again be led by Sophie de Goede, Julia Schell, Asia Hogan-Rochester and Alysha Corrigan.

Schell, who made headlines with six tries in Canada’s opening match—setting a record for the fastest hat-trick in Rugby World Cup history—is tied for the team lead in meters carried (287). Hogan-Rochester, with two tries in three games, shares that honor and Corrigan has recorded four tries so far in the competition and has carried for 198 meters. De Goede is currently third overall in tournament scoring with 44 points (two tries and 17 conversions).

 

WHERE TO WATCH 
Canada’s Rugby World Cup semi-final match against New Zealand on September 19 will kick off at 11:00am PST / 2:00pm EST (7:00pm local time in England) and will be available on TSN. All of Canada’s games at the Rugby World Cup will be broadcast live, along with bonus coverage of select non-Canada matches throughout the tournament. The broadcast schedule is available here.

 

CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS NEW ZEALAND 

1. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens (36 caps)
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (39 caps) 
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (67 caps) 
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (39 caps)
5. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby (51 caps)   
6. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (11 caps)
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec (49 caps)
8. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (39 caps)

9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (41 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs (21 caps)
11. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (6 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (64 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia (16 caps)
14. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens (24 caps)
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders (30 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC (37 caps) 
17. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats (51 caps)
18. Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC (64 caps)
19. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (82 caps)
20. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens (20 caps)
21. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (38 caps)
22. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC (23 caps)
23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (23 caps)

MISSION: WIN RUGBY WORLD CUP  
In March 2025, Rugby Canada officially launched the Mission: Win Rugby World Cup (MWRWC) 2025 fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $1,000,000. Despite rising to the second world ranking, the Canadian women’s rugby team operates on a fractional budget compared to its closest competitors. This $1 million gap was identified to best equip the team with extra resources to help them make history.

The mission is now within reach: over 95% of the fundraising goal has been pledged through generous individual donations and crowd funding. Rugby Canada extends its deep appreciation to all MWRWC supporters. For more information or to donate, visit rugby.ca/donate.

ROSTER CONFIRMED FOR CANADA’S QUARTER-FINAL CLASH WITH AUSTRALIA AT THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

September 11, 2025 (Bristol, England) – After an undefeated run in pool play to top Pool B at the Rugby World Cup, Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team has announced its roster for the quarter-finals. They will take on Australia this Saturday, September 13, at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, England.

Canada head into the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Australia with a record of 7-0 all-time while outscoring the Wallaroos 255-55. Canada outscored their pool play opponents Fiji, Wales and Scotland by a total of 147-26.

“Our goal coming into the World Cup was to finish on top of our pool and we did that,” said Canada’s Head Coach Kevin Rouet. “Now we have to shift our mindset to do or die rugby. We know what we are capable of as a team on the pitch and you can see how the team has been building through the first three games. The preperation this week has been about continuing to refine our skills and the details in our game so we can put together a performance to be proud of.”

Rouet has made a few changes to the Canadian lineup that faced Scotland this past weekend in the final game of pool play.

Quebec’s Fabiola Forteza moves to the number 8 position, taking over for Gabrielle Senft, who will look to make an impact off the bench for Canada. Caroline Crossley will join Forteza and Karen Paquin in the back row to start the game.

Alysha Corrigan, who started on the wing in Canada’s first two Rugby World Cup games, returns to the back three, which also features Asia Hogan-Rochester and the tournament’s leading try-scorer, Julia Schell.

 

WHERE TO WATCH 
Canada’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final match against Australia on September 13 will kick off at 8:00am PST / 11:00am EST (4:00pm local time in England) and will be available on TSN3 and TSN+. All of Canada’s games at the Rugby World Cup will be broadcast live, along with bonus coverage of select non-Canada matches throughout the tournament. The broadcast schedule is available here.

 

CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS AUSTRALIA 

1. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens (35 caps)
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (38 caps) 
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (66 caps) 
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (38 caps)
5. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby (50 caps)   
6. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (10 caps)
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec (48 caps)
8. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (38 caps)

9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (40 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs (20 caps)
11. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (5 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (63 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia (15 caps)
14. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens (23 caps)
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders (29 caps)

FINISHERS 
16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC (36 caps) 
17. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats (50 caps)
18. Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC (63 caps)
19. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (81 caps)
20. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens (19 caps)
21. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (37 caps)
22. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC (22 caps)
23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (22 caps)

MISSION: WIN RUGBY WORLD CUP  
In March 2025, Rugby Canada officially launched the Mission: Win Rugby World Cup (MWRWC) 2025 fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $1,000,000. Despite rising to the second world ranking, the Canadian women’s rugby team operates on a fractional budget compared to its closest competitors. This $1 million gap was identified to best equip the team with extra resources to help them make history.

The mission is now within reach: over 95% of the fundraising goal has been pledged through generous individual donations and crowd funding. Rugby Canada extends its deep appreciation to all MWRWC supporters. For more information or to donate, visit rugby.ca/donate.

BEUKEBOOM SET TO BREAK CANADIAN CAPS RECORD AS CANADA FACES SCOTLAND AT WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP 

September 4, 2025 (Exeter, England) – With a spot in the quarterfinal already secured, the match day roster for Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team’s third and final pool play match at the 2025 Rugby World Cup has been selected by Head Coach Kevin Rouet.

“We have been happy with our first two games but there is still room for improvement before the quarterfinals,” said Rouet. “Scotland will give us a new challenge this week but our mindset as a team doesn’t change. We must focus on ourselves and continue to build on the past two games and be even better against Scotland. Being prepared and focused on Scotland will make us even stronger come the knockout stages.”

Starting at lock for Canada in her fourth Rugby World Cup is Tyson Beukeboom, who will become the most capped player in Canadian history—across both the men’s and women’s rugby—when she earns her 81st cap on Saturday, surpassing men’s player Aaron Carpenter.

Other Canadian milestones on the horizon this weekend include Brittany Kassil and Courtney Holtkamp, who will each earn their 50th cap for Canada when they come off the bench.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Sophie de Goede has surpassed Magali Harvey as the all-time leading scorer for Canada’s women’s rugby team, with 262 points (12 tries, 83 conversions, and 12 penalties). De Goede will start the match against Scotland in the second row.

After suffering an injury that nearly ruled her out of the Rugby World Cup, Laetitia Royer—named to the 2024 World Rugby Dream Team—returns to the lineup as a reserve.

WHERE TO WATCH 
Canada’s Rugby World Cup against Scotland on September 6 will kick off at 12:00pm local time (4:00am PST / 7:00am EST) and will be available on TSN1 and TSN+. All of Canada’s games at the Rugby World Cup will be broadcast live, along with bonus coverage of select non-Canada matches throughout the tournament.

2025 WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP

Canada has officially qualified for the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup. Details regarding their opponent, as well as the date and time of the quarterfinal match, will be confirmed upon the completion of pool play. The match schedule for the Rugby World Cup can be found here.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham next month is sold out with 82,000 fans, making it the most attended women’s rugby union match ever. Over 400,000 tickets have been sold across all matches so far — three times more than the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand.

CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS SCOTLAND

1. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens (34 caps)
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (37 caps) 
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (65 caps) 
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (37 caps)
5. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (80 caps)
6. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (37 caps)
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec (47 caps)
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (36 caps)

9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (39 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs (19 caps)
11. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (4 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (62 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia (14 caps)
14. Paige Farries (Red Deer, AB) – Saracens (35 caps) 
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders (28 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC (35 caps) 
17. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats (49 caps)
18. Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC (62 caps)
19. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens (18 caps)
20. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby (49 caps)   
21. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (9 caps)
22. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC (21 caps)
23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (20 caps)

MISSION: WIN RUGBY WORLD CUP  
In March 2025, Rugby Canada officially launched the Mission: Win Rugby World Cup (MWRWC) 2025 fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $1,000,000. Despite rising to the second world ranking, the Canadian women’s rugby team operates on a fractional budget compared to its closest competitors. This $1 million gap was identified to best equip the team with extra resources to help them make history.

The mission is now within reach: over 95% of the fundraising goal has been pledged through generous individual donations and crowd funding. Rugby Canada extends its deep appreciation to all MWRWC supporters. For more information or to donate, visit rugby.ca/donate.

ROSTER SET FOR CANADA’S SECOND WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP MATCH AGAINST WALES 

Thursday, August 28, 2025 (Manchester, England) — Head Coach Kevin Rouet has announced the match day lineup for Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team as they prepare for their second match of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Canada will take on Wales on Saturday, August 30 at 12:00 p.m. local time (4:00 a.m. PST / 7:00 a.m. EST) at Salford Community Stadium in Manchester, England. The match will be broadcast live on TSN and TSN+.

“Our mindset coming into this World Cup was to take it game by game so now we are focused on Wales and preparing for how they will challenge us on the pitch,” said Rouet. “It was great to start with such a strong performance against Fiji last week but as a team we must shift our mindset to Wales. The squad is excited to get back out there a test ourselves again against another quality opponent.”

Rouet has made a few changes to the roster he selected for Canada’s Rugby World Cup opener against Fiji. McKinley Hunt and Emily Tuttosi, who came off the bench last week, will start in the front row alongside DaLeaka Menin. Karen Paquin, who also came off the bench last week and is playing in her fourth Rugby World Cup, will start at openside flanker.

Asia Hogan-Rochester will join the starting fifteen on the wing, making her Rugby World Cup debut and her first appearance for Canada since suffering an injury against Australia earlier this year. Claire Gallagher, named as a reserve for the match, could earn her first Rugby World Cup cap for Canada.

Starting at lock this week and set to earn her 80th cap for Canada is Tyson Beukeboom — already the most-capped Canadian women’s player. She will tie former men’s player Aaron Carpenter as the most-capped Canadian rugby player in history.  

WHERE TO WATCH 
Canada’s Rugby World Cup against Wales on August 30 will kick off at 12:00pm local time (4:00am PST / 7:00am EST) and will be available on TSN4 and TSN+. All of Canada’s games at the Rugby World Cup will be broadcast live, along with bonus coverage of select non-Canada matches throughout the tournament.

2025 WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP

At the Rugby World Cup in England, Canada will compete in Pool B alongside Scotland, Wales and Fiji. Their final game of pool play will be against Scotland at Salford Community Stadium in Exeter, England on Saturday, September 6 at 4:00am PT / 7:00am ET (12:00pm local time). Click here for the full Pool B schedule.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham next month is sold out with 82,000 fans, making it the most attended women’s rugby union match ever. Over 375,000 tickets have been sold across all matches so far — three times more than the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand.

CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS WALES

1. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens (33 caps)
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (36 caps) 
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (64 caps) 
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (36 caps)
5. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (79 caps)
6. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (8 caps)
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec (36 caps)
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (35 caps)

9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (38 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs (18 caps)
11. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (3 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (61 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia (13 caps)
14. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens (22 caps)
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders (27 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC (34 caps) 
17. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats (48 caps)
18. Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC (61 caps)
19. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby (48 caps)   
20. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (36 caps)
21. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC (20 caps)
22. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (18 caps)
23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (19 caps)

MISSION: WIN RUGBY WORLD CUP  
In March 2025, Rugby Canada officially launched the Mission: Win Rugby World Cup (MWRWC) 2025 fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $1,000,000. Despite rising to the second world ranking, the Canadian women’s rugby team operates on a fractional budget compared to its closest competitors. This $1 million gap was identified to best equip the team with extra resources to help them make history.

The mission is now within reach: over 95% of the fundraising goal has been pledged through generous individual donations and crowd funding. Rugby Canada extends its deep appreciation to all MWRWC supporters. For more information or to donate, visit rugby.ca/donate.

CANADA’S MATCH DAY ROSTER SET FOR WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP OPENER AGAINST FIJI

Thursday, August 21, 2025 (York, England) — The match day roster for Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team has been selected by Head Coach Kevin Rouet for the opening game of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

Canada will face Fiji on Saturday, August 23 at 5:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. PST / 12:30 p.m. EST) at York Community Stadium in York, England. The game will be broadcast live on TSN and TSN+.

“The team has put in a lot of work to get to this point,” said Rouet. “We have been building really since the last World Cup so we are very excited to get going here in England. Fiji will be a fun team to play against. They are unpredictable so they will test us on the pitch but it’s on us to showcase our style of play and display when we are one of the best teams in the world.”

Taylor Perry has been selected to start at fly-half to kick off the tournament. Perry was due to wear the number ten jersey for the opening game of the last Rugby World Cup but was ruled out of the entire competition due to an injury suffered on the eve of the first game.

Included among the finishers on the match day roster is Rachel Smith of the UBC Thunderbirds, who earned her first cap for Canada in May against the USA and is now in line to make her Rugby World Cup debut.

Canada will begin the Rugby World Cup with an average of 29 caps per player. Leading the squad is Tyson Beukeboom, the most-capped player in Canadian women’s rugby history, with 77 appearances.

 WHERE TO WATCH 
Canada’s Rugby World Cup against Fiji on August 23 will kick off at 5:30pm local time (9:30am PST / 12:30pm EST) and will be available on TSN1, TSN5 and TSN+. All of Canada’s games at the Rugby World Cup will be broadcast live, along with bonus coverage of select non-Canada matches throughout the tournament.

 2025 WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP

At the Rugby World Cup in England, Canada will compete in Pool B alongside Scotland, Wales and Fiji. Their second game of pool play will be against Wales at the Salford Community Stadium in Manchester, England on Saturday, August 30 at 4:00am PT / 7:00am ET (12:00pm local time). Click here for the full Pool B schedule.

Earlier this week it was revealed the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham next month is sold out with 82,000 fans, making it the most attended women’s rugby union match ever. Over 375,000 tickets have been sold across all matches so far — three times more than the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand.

 

CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS FIJI

1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats (47 caps)
2. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC (32 caps) 
3. Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC (61 caps)
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (35 caps)
5. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby (47 caps) 
6. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (7 caps)
7. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (35 caps)
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (32 caps)

9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (37 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs (16 caps)
11. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Westshore RFC / Saracens (18 caps) 
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (60 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia (12 caps)
14. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens (21 caps)
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders (26 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (35 caps) 
17. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens (32 caps)
18. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (63 caps) 
19. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (77 caps)
20. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec (45 caps)
21. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia (3 caps)
22. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC (19 caps)
23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (19 caps)

MISSION: WIN RUGBY WORLD CUP  
In March 2025, Rugby Canada officially launched the Mission: Win Rugby World Cup (MWRWC) 2025 fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $1,000,000. Despite rising to the second world ranking, the Canadian women’s rugby team operates on a fractional budget compared to its closest competitors. This $1 million gap was identified to best equip the team with extra resources to help them make history.

The mission is now within reach: over 95% of the fundraising goal has been pledged through generous individual donations and crowd funding. Rugby Canada extends its deep appreciation to all MWRWC supporters. For more information or to donate, visit rugby.ca/donate.

Canada Earns Bronze at Asunción 2025 Junior Pan American Games with Strong Alberta Presence

Canada’s U20 Women’s Rugby Sevens team delivered a memorable performance at the Asunción 2025 Junior Pan American Games, capturing bronze after a strong run through the tournament.

The Canadians swept through pool play undefeated, showing composure and creativity on attack. In the semifinals, they fell narrowly to Brazil in a back-and-forth battle, before regrouping to earn a decisive victory over Argentina in the bronze medal match.

This edition of the Games, held from August 9 to 23, 2025 in Asunción, Paraguay, is only the second-ever Junior Pan American Games. For the first time, rugby sevens was included on the schedule, giving young rising athletes a unique opportunity to compete in this fast-paced format on the international stage.

Alberta athletes played a pivotal role in Canada’s podium finish, including:

  • Bomi Lawal – Calgary Canadian Irish Rugby Club

  • Olivia Newsome – Lanark Highlanders / Calgary Saints

  • Zina Umeh – Canucks Rugby Club

  • Ivy Poetker – Calgary Rams

Their impact was felt across the pitch, with Alberta’s speed, strength, and resilience helping secure Canada’s first-ever rugby sevens medal at the Junior Pan American Games.

The bronze medal finish marks an exciting milestone for Canadian rugby and highlights the depth of talent developing across the country. For Alberta’s athletes in particular, it was a standout showcase on the international stage, proving they belong among the best young players in the Americas.