Canada coach Francois Ratier has named a 26-player squad for the Women’s Rugby Super Series 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1-9 July.

Canada will joined by England, hosts USA and France, who replace last year's winners New Zealand, as preparations continue for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017.

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Additionally, Ratier has also selected a 23-player Maple Leafs team that will also compete in Utah against the USA All-Americans.



“It’s very important to be in Utah with these two teams,” Ratier said. “It's an opportunity for our senior team to continue on the road to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 while giving members of the Maple Leafs a chance to perform and win or reclaim a spot with Canada in the future as well.”



Laura Russell (pictured), who took the armband for last year’s tournament that was held in Alberta, will once again captain Canada’s senior team, and she is joined by 14 other returnees from 2015.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

"We are still looking to increase our depth at some key positions like scrum-half and fly-half ... We want to make sure we can have more than two options before the Women’s Rugby World Cup" Canada Women's head coach Francois Ratier

There’s also an opportunity for eight players - Anais Holly, Fabiola Forteza, Brianna Miller, Frédérique Rajotte, Elysa Sandron, Kristy Sargent, Demi Stamatakis and Amanda Williams - to make their test debuts for Canada.



“We are still looking to increase our depth at some key positions like scrum-half and fly-half,” said Ratier. “We want to make sure we can have more than two options before the Women’s Rugby World Cup.



Additionally, Emily Belchos and Kayla Mack, veterans of Canada’s second-place finish at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014, have been released from Canada’s women’s sevens programme to play for the senior side.



“They haven’t played 15s since the last World Cup but they are fit and they know how to play rugby,” commented Ratier.

TOUGH COMPETITION

Last year, Canada was narrowly beaten 15-14 by England while USA edged past Canada 36-28 in Red Deer. Canada have not faced France since defeating them in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 semi-final.



“England are the world champions, France just won the Six Nations and USA is always a big battle so the competition will be tough,” added Ratier. “But that is what we need to be better and stronger.”



Canada’s Maple Leafs team features a number of the country’s finest young players while mixing in players with test experience including Gillian Allen, Julia Folk, Lisa Gauthier, Lori Josephson, Jess Neilson, Camile Provençal-Aube, Natasha Smith and Emma Taylor.



Later this year, Canada will head to the UK for another tour as preparation for WRWC 2017, and while two sides have been picked for the Super Series, Ratier insisted selection for that tour is not a foregone conclusion



“We will pick the November squad for the UK based on performances with Canada, the Maple Leafs, National Championships, CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport Championship) and released sevens players so it’s a busy summer and provides many chances for the players to confirm or win a spot in the senior team.”



Canada squad for Women’s Rugby Super Series: Emily Belchos, Latoya Blackwood, Tyson Beukeboom, Andrea Burk, Olivia DeMerchant, Fabiola Forteza, Chelsea Guthrie, Anais Holly, Mary-Jane Kirby, Kayla Mack, Carolyn McEwen, DaLeaka Menin, Barbara Mervin, Katie McNally, Brianna Miller, Jacey Murphy, Frédérique Rajotte, Laura Russell (captain), Elysa Sandron, Kristy Sargent,Demi Stamatakis, Katie Svoboda, Alex Tessier, Brittany Waters, Amanda Williams, Julianne Zussman.