Rugby Alberta Teams Make Their Mark at the Canada Summer Games

From August 3–8, Rugby Alberta’s Wolf Pack U17 men’s and women’s teams travelled to Vancouver Island for a week of competitive rugby against strong opponents from BC and the UK.

The Wolf Pack Women began their tour with a 5–20 loss to BC in their opening match. They bounced back to put up a strong fight in their second game, narrowly falling 17–19 to BC in a closely contested battle.

The Wolf Pack Men kicked off their trip facing Whitgift School, a respected UK touring side, in a fast-paced match that ended 22–35. They then squared off against BC, concluding their tour with a 19–33 result. Across both games, the men’s squad showed steady improvement in attack and team structure.

Both teams showed great effort, resilience, and progress over the course of the week. The experience gained on Vancouver Island has the Wolf Pack coaching staff excited for the continued growth of these young athletes as they prepare for the season ahead.

A special thank you goes out to the families, supporters, and Rugby Alberta staff whose dedication and hard work made this tour possible. Their support continues to be vital to the success and development of our Wolf Pack athletes.

Wednesday July 30, 2025 (Ottawa, Ontario) – Riding a ten-game winning streak against their American rivals, Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team’s match day roster has been named by Head Coach Kevin Rouet. Canada and the USA will kick off at 7:00pm local time (5:00pm MST) on Friday August 1 at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa.

Friday night will be Canada’s one and only game on home soil before departing for the Rugby World Cup in England. The match aims to surpass a new attendance record for a women’s rugby match in Canada that was previously set at the stadium in 2023. Tickets are on sale HERE.

“The team is very excited to play at home here in Ottawa,” said Rouet. “Playing in front of Canadian fans is always a special experience for the players and I think this will give us a lot of momentum heading into the World Cup. It has been a short week of preparation, but the team has looked sharp in practice and we will be ready to perform on Friday in front of the Canadian crowd.”

Claire Gallagher has been named to start at fly-half for Canada in Friday’s match. A former player with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, Gallagher made her international debut in 2023 against New Zealand in Ottawa. Pamphinette Buisa, representing the Ottawa Irish Rugby Club, has been selected as a reserve and will begin the match on the bench.

On the wing, Paige Farries returns to international competition for the first time since suffering an injury during the WXV 1 finale last fall in Vancouver. Sophie de Goede, who made a substitute appearance earlier this month against South Africa, is set to earn her first start since returning from a significant knee injury.

WHERE TO WATCH 
Canada’s match versus USA on August 1 will kick off at 7:00pm local time (4:00pm PST) and will be available on TSN5 and TSN+.

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

1. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens
2. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC 
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs  
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens
5. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders
6. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec
7. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens
9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
10. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Leicester Tigers
11. Paige Farries (Red Deer, AB) – Saracens 
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
14. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Westshore RFC / Saracens    
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders   

FINISHERS
16. Taylor McKnight (Stouffville, ON) – University of Guelph / Aurora Barbarians
17. Mikiela Nelson (North Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC / Exeter Chiefs
18. Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC
19. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby    
20. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish
21. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
22. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau
23. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers

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 88% of the fundraising goal has been pledged through generous individual donations and crowdfunding. Rugby Canada extends its deep appreciation to all MWRWC supporters in embarking on a final push of this campaign for the team’s Rugby World Cup journey. For more information or to donate, visit rugby.ca/donate.

Thursday July 24, 2025 (Langford, BC) – Ranked second in the world, Canada’s 32-player squad for the Rugby World Cup 2025, kicking off next month in England, has been named by Head Coach Kevin Rouet.

“We believe in the group we have selected and we believe in the process we have taken to get to this point, but the work isn’t done yet,” said Rouet. “It all starts next month in England when we enter the next stage of our World Cup journey and officially get on the field in that first match against Fiji.”

Captain of the team in England will be 2024 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, Alexandra Tessier. She has earned 59 caps for Canada, scoring six tries and 53 points over her ten-year international career that includes representing Canada at the Rugby World Cup in 2017 and 2021 (played in 2022).

Twenty-one players return from the 2021 Rugby World Cup team including veterans Tyson Beukeboom, Olivia DeMerchant and Karen Paquin who will all represent Canada at the Rugby World Cup for a fourth time.

Sophie de Goede, named to the 2022 and 2024 World Rugby Women’s Dream Team, will compete in her second Rugby World Cup. De Goede made her long-awaited return to the Canadian lineup earlier this month in South Africa, her first time back on the field in over a year following a significant knee injury.

Canada’s leading try-scorer at the last World Cup with six, Emily Tuttosi, will play in her second Rugby World Cup. Tuttosi’s performance earned her a spot on the 2022 World Rugby Dream Team of the Year.

With Rugby Canada’s “One Squad” philosophy on full display, six players who won a silver medal with Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics have been selected; Caroline Crossley, Fancy Bermudez, Florence Symonds, Olivia Apps, Asia Hogan-Rochester and Taylor Perry.

The 2025 Rugby World Cup will be the first for 11 players including Rachel Smith, Taylor McKnight, Claire Gallagher, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Laetitia Royer and Maya Montiel.

“Selecting the World Cup squad forced the coaching staff to make some very difficult decisions,” added Rouet. “Since the last World Cup, our focus has been on building depth in the squad, so we had more than just 32 players who could step on the field and perform at any moment. We achieved our goal but as a result it meant needing to make some very challenging decisions.”

Prior to the team departing, Canada will compete in its final home match at TD Place in Ottawa on Friday, August 1 vs USA. The match aims to surpass a new attendance record for a women’s rugby match in North America that was previously set at the stadium in 2023. Tickets are on sale HERE and the roster for this specific game will be announced on Wednesday, July 30.

At the Rugby World Cup in England, Canada will compete in Pool B alongside Scotland, Wales and Fiji. Their first match will be against Fiji at the York Community Stadium in York on Saturday, August 23 at 9:30am PT / 12:30pm ET (5:30pm local time). Click here for the full Pool B schedule.

WHERE TO WATCH

All of Canada’s Rugby World Cup matches will be available live on TSN and TSN+. Earlier this year Rugby Canada and TSN announced a long-term agreement bringing increased coverage in 2025 and beyond for rugby fans in Canada.

 

2025 RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD – CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM 

FORWARDS 

Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats
Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby  
DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs  

Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs  
Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens
Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC / Gloucester-Hartpury   
Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec
Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens
Maya Montiel (Dieppe, NB) – Saracens

McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens
Mikiela Nelson (North Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC / Exeter Chiefs
Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC
Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish
Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia
Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens
Taylor McKnight (Stouffville, ON) – University of Guelph / Aurora Barbarians

Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders

BACKS 

Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs
Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens
Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC
Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders
Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Westshore RFC / Saracens  
Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders
Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC

Paige Farries (Red Deer, AB) – Saracens   

Sarah-Maude Lachance (Victoriaville, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau
Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs

TEAM STAFF 

Head Coach – Kevin Rouet

Assistant Coach – Alex Austerberry, Carolyn McEwen, Conor Twomey, David Butcher, Iain Monaghan, Jocelyn Barrieau, Martial Lagain 

Team Manager – Dustin Hopkins

Strength & Conditioning – Clarence Gay, Travis Dorsey

Analyst – Stacey Maskelyne, Richard Owen

Team Doctor – Anthony Dixon, Adam Pyle

Physiotherapist – Allison Rodway, Amelie Michaud

Media – Braedan Willis, Jordan Jones

MEDIA ADVISORY

Members of the media are invited to attend a special event marking a major milestone on Canada’s road to the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in advance of the team’s match vs. USA at TD Place on August 1. With the capital city as the backdrop, Rugby Canada will formally send off the Women’s World Cup squad.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 – Great Hall at the National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa, Ontario)
11:45 AM ET – Media to arrive by 11:30 AM ET 

Camera/Interview Opportunity: Following the press conference, players, as well as the captain and coach from the Women’s World Cup squad, will be available for one-on-one interviews with media. Please RSVP to Avery German: agerman@national.ca

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 75% of the fundraising goal has been pledged through generous individual donations and crowdfunding. Rugby Canada extends its deep appreciation to all MWRWC supporters in embarking on a final push of this campaign for the team’s Rugby World Cup journey. For more information or to donate, visit rugby.ca/donate.

Wednesday July 16, 2025 (Edmonton, AB) – Head Coach Stephen Meehan has named his match day roster for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team’s final game in Edmonton on Friday against Spain.

Canada and Spain will kick-off on Friday July 18 at 7:00pm MT / 9:00pm ET.  The match will be available to watch live on TSN2 and TSN+.

“The team’s focus this week has been about how we balance our style of play,” said Meehan. “We had moments last Saturday that were effective and exciting to watch and play and other moments that learning from will improve our performance. Spain is another tough opponent, but we are all excited to get back on the field with another home crowd to support us.”

Evan Olmstead returns to Canada’s lineup for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup, while Emerson Prior and Stephen Webb, who start the match on the bench for Canada, could earn their first cap against Spain.

Canada’s three try scorers from last week’s match against Belgium, Andrew Quattrin, Josiah Morra and Siôn Parry all retained their place in the match day twenty-three. Cooper Coats gets the start at flyhalf for a second-straight game.

Tickets for the game between Canada and Spain on Friday July 18 are available for purchase here.

 

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM’S MATCH DAY ROSTER VS SPAIN 

1. Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Old Glory DC

2. Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks

3. Cole Keith (Sussex NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks

4. Piers Von Dadelszen (Vancouver, BC) – New England Free Jacks

5. Evan Olmstead (Vancouver, BC) – Lindfield Rugby Club / SU Agen

6. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC

7. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds

8. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride / Chicago Hounds 

9. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution / Chicago Hounds

10. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC / NOLA Gold

11. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – New England Free Jacks / Toronto Saracens

12. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys / Utah Warriors

13. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds

14. Isaac Olson (Vernon, BC) – New England Free Jacks

15. Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NI) – Dungannon RFC 

 

FINISHERS

16. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Seattle Seawolves   

17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC / Utah Warriors

18. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Manitoba Wombats / New England Free Jacks

19. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Capilano RFC

20. Matt Heaton (Godmanchester, QC) – Ormstown Saracens / RFC LA

21. Stephen Webb (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / University of British Columbia

22. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / Pacific Pride

23. Brenden Black (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / University of Guelph