Quick-ball and Canadian flair expected at Sandy Park this weekend

It will be the clash of the Canadians this weekend as Exeter Chiefs Women take on Saracens in the seventh round of PWR.

Chiefs have five Canadian internationals at their disposal with Saracens potentially able to call on seven, notwithstanding any injuries. Influential scrum-half Olivia Apps has been the most recent addition to the playing squad while Canada’s head coach Kevin Rouet has also joined Saracens’ coaching staff.

This sets up an interesting battle with Chiefs’ Canadians, including captain Alex Tessier, pitting their wits against their own international coach’s tactics.

While Chiefs Women are playing more freely in attack under backs coach Oli Bishop, Saracens are playing a looser shape and pouncing on quick ball. Anyone who recalls the ruck speed the Canadians demonstrated during the Rugby World Cup, they will recognise this as a Rouet tactic.

Chiefs Women’s head coach Steve Salvin, who has worked with Rouet and Canada in the past, said: “You're now really starting to see Kevin's influence on the way Saracens are playing. They've obviously got the likes of Sophie De Goede, Gabby Senft, Olivia Apps, Alysha Corrigan…they've got some fantastic Canadian players. There's definitely real identity to the way they're playing, and it feels like Kevin's influence is really growing on the way they're playing”

He added: “I think Olivia’s been one of the players of the season so far. She's made a massive difference. She just seems to link everything up. How do you go about neutralising a player like that? It's challenging because she is a very, very talented player. But she's not the only the only player that's going to create a challenge for us this weekend. They've got very, very talented players right across the board.”

Rather than leading these fellow countrywomen this weekend, Chiefs’ centre Tessier will be trying to outdo them on the field.

She said: “You sort of know what to expect, just because of my little insight with the Canadian team. I kind of know what they're trying to achieve as it has started to show in how they've been playing and growing this season.

“The biggest thing that’s been standing out is the speed of ball and I know why, because we obviously know Olivia Apps as one of the nines for Canada. I know she plays extremely physically and she's extremely fast.

“She's part of the threat that you have to be mindful of because we know that she can be punishing. I like her as a player; I like her as a person as well. I guess I'm lucky that I know a little bit what to expect because I've played with her.”

Tessier is not just mindful of her Canadian international team-mates, but the whole host of other experienced and exciting players Saracens have at their disposal.

She added: “I think they have brilliant players. Obviously, they have a good handful of Canadians, but you've also got players like Poppy Cleall, who is very smart. Across the board, they've got a lot of personalities, a lot of characters on that team and it'll be fun.

“I think that's what you look for as a player. You look forward to playing quality players and to match yourself to the best in order to be the best. I'm definitely looking for the challenge this weekend.”

This weekend’s game will see Father Christmas on hand from 13:00 in the River Dart Kids’ Zone before the game to meet young fans. Selected players will in the Club Shop too to sign the new Exposed charity calendar…while it is still available. Lastly, the players will also be gathering in the Woodbury Bar after the game to celebrate the festive season with supporters.

Tickets for Saturday's game (KO 15:05) are just £11 for adults and £5.50 for U17s. They are available here.