Canadian Chiefs target last four spot

By Mark Stevens
29/10/22

Former Exeter Chiefs prop Olivia De Merchant is one of two changes Canada Women have made to their starting line-up for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against the USA Eagles in Auckland.

The experienced loosehead (pictured) comes into the front-row alongside former Chiefs team-mates DeLeaka Menin and Emily Tuttosi, the latter of whom is the competition’s top try-scorer with six touchdowns.

The other change sees Fabiola Forteza also returns to Kevin Rouet’s line-up at blindside flanker with Karen Paquin shifting across to open-side. Another former Chief, McKinley Hunt, packs down in the second row alongside Courtney Holtkamp, whilst Gabby Senft is named amongst the replacements.

Rouet said: “It’s great to be in the play-offs and we know now is when we have to reach another level. As we said before the tournament, we need a full squad to win the World Cup and our focus this week has been ensuring the 23 selected are prepared for what will be a tough test against USA.”

CANADA TEAM TO FACE USA EAGLES

1. Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
4. Courtney Holtkamp (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans
5. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Exeter Chiefs
6. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC – Club de rugby de Québec / Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais
8. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers RFC
9. Justine Pelletier (Riviere-du-Loup, QC) – Riviere-du-Loup, QC
10. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
11. Paige Farries (Red Deer, AB) – Worcester Warriors
12. Sara Kaljuvee (Ajax, ON) – Toronto Scottish
13. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens
14. Maddy Grant (Cornwall, ON) – University of Ottawa
15. Elissa Alarie (Trois-Rivieres, QC) – Westshore RFC

16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC
17. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph, ON
18. Alex Ellis (Ottawa, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish / Saracens
19. Ngalula Fuamba (Notre Dame de-l'ile-Perrot, QC) – T.M.R.R.F.C.
20. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan RFC
21. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Exeter Chiefs
22. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish
23. Anaïs Holly (Montreal, QC) – Town of Mont-Royal RFC