Menin and Tessier selected for Canada’s WXV fixtures in Europe

Exeter Chiefs Women’s DaLeaka Menin and Alex Tessier have been selected in Canada’s 36-player squad for their WXV Global Series fixtures in Europe.

Tessier will serve as vice-captain for Canada’s September fixtures as Sophie de Goede takes the captaincy role. Olivia Apps and Justine Pelletier are also vice-captains as Canada take on Scotland, England and France next month.

Canada’s head coach Kevin Rouet said: “It was important for us to assemble our strongest team. Because of our 'One Squad' philosophy, we had some players not available during PAC4 earlier this year because they were playing with the sevens team in Hong Kong. This September and October, we have all our players available. It will be good to have everyone in the same place for the next two months and we will still need to find a balance between staying competitive while also giving players the opportunity to develop and showcase themselves. Overall, everyone is just very happy to get back together again.”

Following their three matches in Europe - one of which will be played against the Red Roses at Sandy Park on Saturday, 19 September - Canada will return home to play England in Toronto and Ottawa in October marking the first time the team will play on home soil since placing second in the 2025 Rugby World Cup.

In other international news, Chiefs lock Linde van der Velden will play for the Netherlands as they take on Scotland A in Amsterdam on Saturday.

CANADA

Forwards

Brooke Rempel (Ariss, ON) - Loughborough Lightning / Ontario West / Brantford Harlequins
Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Ontario West / Guelph Goats
Cassandra Tuffnail (Heidelberg, ON) – Ealing Trailfinders
DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Exeter Chiefs / Calgary Hornets
Emily Clark (Mississauga, ON) - Montpellier / University of Guelph *
Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets
Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Stade Bordelais / Club de rugby de Québec
Faith Tilley (Halifax, NS) - University of Victoria*
Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Stade Bordelais / Castaway Wanderers
Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC
Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Saracens / Calgary Irish Rugby Club
Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) - Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds / Toronto Scottish
Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University
Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders
Maya Montiel (Dieppe, NB) - Ealing Trailfinders / University of Ottawa

Mikiela Nelson (Vancouver, BC) - Capilano RFC
Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Loughborough Lightning / Ottawa Irish
Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds
Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) - Saracens / Castaway Wanderers
Sophie McDonald (Ottawa, ON) - Ontario East / University of Ottawa / Ottawa Rugby Club*
Taylor McKnight (Stouffville, ON) - Stade Bordelais / Ontario West / Aurora Barbarians

Backs

Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) - Saracens / CRFC
Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) - Exeter Chiefs / Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) - Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC
Aurora Bowie (Stouffville, ON) - University of Ottawa / Ottawa Rugby Club
Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Ealing Trailfinders / Aurora Barbarians
Corinne Frechette (Saint-Zéphirin-de-Courval, QC) – ASM Romagnat / Quebec East / Club de rugby de Québec
Charity Williams (Toronto, ON) - Markham Irish*
Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) - Loughborough Lightning / Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Westshore RFC
Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) - Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds
Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Stade Bordelais / Club de rugby de Québec
Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) - Saracens / Lindsay RFC
Sarah-Maude Lachance (Victoriaville, QC) – Stade Bordelais / Club de rugby de Québec
Savannah Bauder (North Vancouver, BC) - UBC Thunderbirds / Capilano RFC*
Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau
Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) - Oakville Crusaders