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Hamilton Spectator
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
De Goede to lead 32-player rugby tour party as Canada takes on Springbok women
Recovered from knee surgery, Canada captain Sophie de Goede leads a 32-player tour squad to South Africa for a two-game series with the Springboks women next month. The second-ranked Canadian women, who were scheduled to leave Friday, take on No. 12 South Africa on July 5 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria and July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. 'The players and staff are all excited to get down to South Africa to continue our preparations for the Rugby World Cup,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'Three weeks of training together and another two test matches will go a long way to ensure our squad is ready.' After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked United States on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. Goede has not played since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament on June 21, 2024, in a non-contact scrimmage against the United States on the last day of a Canada sevens camp in Chula Vista, Calif. The tour roster includes three uncapped players in Taylor McKnight, Holly Phillips and Carissa Norsten, who has represented Canada in sevens play. McKnight, a hooker from Stouffville, Ont., played for the University of Guelph last season. Phillips, a prop from Canmore, Alta., played in England for the Bristol Bears. Norsten was named the HSBC SVNS Series rookie of the year in 2024. Canada is 12-5-1 since the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to New Zealand. That record has earned Rouet a contract extension through 2027. 'I am very excited for the opportunity to continue coaching this group of amazing players,' said Rouet. 'This gives the team and myself confidence going into the World Cup.' After three years as an assistant coach, the French-born Rouet took charge of the team in March 2022. He has led the Canadian women to a 21-8-1 record and the 2024 Pacific Four Series title, with a first-ever win over defending world champion New Zealand. 'Kevin has done outstanding work with our women's program, and we would like to recognize his great commitment to developing a world-class team and the culture he has built within his squad,' Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys said in a statement. 'We are pleased to be able to secure one of the world's top international coaches in Kevin for another two years and continue to work with him as he leads our women's program onto new heights.' Rouet was given a contract extension in April 2023 that ran through the 2025 World Cup. Canada Tour Squad Forwards Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Holly Phillips, Canmore, Alta., Bristol Bears (England); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Olivia DeMerchant, Mapledale, N.B., Halifax Tars RFC; Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Rachel Smith, South Surrey, B.C., UBC; Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Sophie de Goede, Victoria, Saracens (England); Taylor McKnight, Stouffville, Ont., Aurora Barbarians; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Backs Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Saracens (England); Carissa Norsten, Waldheim, Sask., University of Victoria; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Madison Grant, Cornwall, Ont., Cornwall Claymores; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England). —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025 Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
De Goede to lead 32-player rugby tour party as Canada takes on Springbok women
Recovered from knee surgery, Canada captain Sophie de Goede leads a 32-player tour squad to South Africa for a two-game series with the Springboks women next month. The second-ranked Canadian women, who were scheduled to leave Friday, take on No. 12 South Africa on July 5 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria and July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. 'The players and staff are all excited to get down to South Africa to continue our preparations for the Rugby World Cup,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'Three weeks of training together and another two test matches will go a long way to ensure our squad is ready.' After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked United States on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. Goede has not played since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament on June 21, 2024, in a non-contact scrimmage against the United States on the last day of a Canada sevens camp in Chula Vista, Calif. The tour roster includes three uncapped players in Taylor McKnight, Holly Phillips and Carissa Norsten, who has represented Canada in sevens play. McKnight, a hooker from Stouffville, Ont., played for the University of Guelph last season. Phillips, a prop from Canmore, Alta., played in England for the Bristol Bears. Norsten was named the HSBC SVNS Series rookie of the year in 2024. Canada is 12-5-1 since the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to New Zealand. That record has earned Rouet a contract extension through 2027. 'I am very excited for the opportunity to continue coaching this group of amazing players,' said Rouet. 'This gives the team and myself confidence going into the World Cup.' After three years as an assistant coach, the French-born Rouet took charge of the team in March 2022. He has led the Canadian women to a 21-8-1 record and the 2024 Pacific Four Series title, with a first-ever win over defending world champion New Zealand. 'Kevin has done outstanding work with our women's program, and we would like to recognize his great commitment to developing a world-class team and the culture he has built within his squad,' Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys said in a statement. 'We are pleased to be able to secure one of the world's top international coaches in Kevin for another two years and continue to work with him as he leads our women's program onto new heights.' Rouet was given a contract extension in April 2023 that ran through the 2025 World Cup. Canada Tour Squad Forwards Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Holly Phillips, Canmore, Alta., Bristol Bears (England); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Olivia DeMerchant, Mapledale, N.B., Halifax Tars RFC; Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Rachel Smith, South Surrey, B.C., UBC; Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Sophie de Goede, Victoria, Saracens (England); Taylor McKnight, Stouffville, Ont., Aurora Barbarians; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Backs Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Saracens (England); Carissa Norsten, Waldheim, Sask., University of Victoria; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Madison Grant, Cornwall, Ont., Cornwall Claymores; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England). — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales scrum-half Lewis to become Lion in USA
Wales scrum-half Ffion Lewis has signed for Chicago Lions women's sevens former Bristol Bear left Wales' professional programme after being told her contract was not going to be renewed this was allowed to leave in the middle of the 2025 Women's Six Nations to protect her mental health and to pursue other opportunities in the 29-year-old hinted she was "closing the chapter" on her international career, but that she was "nowhere near done with the game".Lewis won 33 caps after making her debut in 2018, but in more recent years her career was blighted by a serious knee injury and severe symptoms of was one of a number of senior players Wales' new head coach Sean Lynn decided not to keep on, with fly-half Niamh Terry, centre Meg Webb and wing Carys Williams-Morris also becoming free agents in Lions have enjoyed success at Midwest and national in the United States.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
"I'm surprised England talisman isn't a d***head - everyone loves him"
The British and Irish Lions squad has spent several weeks together and Ireland's Dan Sheehan has joked that he's been surprised that by Ellis Genge - who he thought could've been a d***head British and Irish Lions star Dan Sheehan has been taken aback by new team-mate Ellis Genge and admits he's surprised "that he's not a dickhead.' The Ireland hooker and the England prop - rivals in recent years - are now colleagues. Sheehan has become one of the world's best in his position and is among the frontrunners to start the First Test in Australia. Genge, one of the talismanic leaders for England, is pushing his case to get the nod at prop and the Irishman has been pleasantly surprised by his foe turned friend. Andy Farrell's Lions squad is Irish heavy but Genge is one of a number of Englishman in the squad and was a standout during Friday night's disappointing loss to Argentina in Dublin. The Bristol Bears star has been a divisive character and is known for his aggression. Sheehan admits he is someone he and the Irish would target when they clash in the Six Nations. But those battles are put aside this summer with the whole squad embracing each other. Sheehan said: 'It's mad how fast you can go from despising people to hanging around to go for a coffee with them! It's probably just that rugby blokes are good blokes, you can turn on the hatred when you want it. 'Genge is obviously a passionate, animated player for England and someone who we, as Ireland, would consider as a talisman and someone, in an Irish jersey, we'd need to target. 'He's one person you enjoy having on the team. And he's a funny bloke off the pitch. I think everyone loves him. You can see the passion he brings to meetings, to pitch straight in and scrum. He's one person you enjoy having on your side now. He's very real and says it how it is. He's definitely someone that surprises you that he's not a d***head.' Genge has long been loved and admired by those who know him intimately. Footage has showed the English star taking a leadership role before Friday's clash, barking orders during the team huddle in the dressing room. Sheehan watched on for that clash given he had just played in a final with Leinster six days earlier, which saw them win the URC. The Ireland hooker has recently become the forward with the most tries in Six Nations history such is his quality in attack. He is likely to get his first run out on Saturday when the Lions play their first match on Australian soil against the Western Force in Perth - something he is relishing. He said: 'I feel sometimes if you haven't played yet you feel like a bit of an imposter. I want to feel I can contribute to the jersey just as others have had their chance.'
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
‘Ellis Genge surprises you – he's not a d---head'
Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan has revealed that the biggest revelation of the Lions tour thus far is discovering that England prop Ellis Genge is 'not a d---head'. Both Sheehan and Genge are first-time Lions tourists having appeared on opposing sides several times during the Six Nations. The impression of Genge, who was the standout player in last Friday's 28-24 defeat by Argentina, has not always been favourable, but the beauty of Lions tours is the manner in which antagonists can become amigos. Yet having previously viewed Genge as Ireland's main target as England's emotional tonesetter, Sheehan says that he was pleasantly surprised that the 30-year-old Bristol Bears loosehead is actually someone he is quite happy to have on his team. 'It's mad how fast you can go from despising people to hanging around to go for a coffee with them!' Sheehan said. 'It's probably just that rugby blokes are good blokes, you can turn on the hatred when you want it. 'I'm trying to think if I can find one for you – Genge would be a good one. He's obviously a passionate, animated player for England and someone who we, as Ireland, would consider as a talisman and someone, in an Irish jersey, we'd need to target. 'He's one person you enjoy having on the team. And he's a funny bloke off the pitch. I think everyone loves him. You can see the passion he brings to meetings to pitch straight and scrum. He's one person you enjoy having on your side now. He's very real and says it how it is. He's definitely someone that surprises you that he's not a d---head.' Genge was among the players who featured in an extended video from the Lions' pre-tour training camp in Portugal, where he was seen giving extra scrummaging tips to one of the Portuguese opponents after the session had been completed. After landing in Australia on Sunday ahead of their match against the Western Force on Saturday, the Lions have started exploring Perth but Sheehan says that the main social bonds were established before they took flight. 'Our team social after the admin day in Dublin broke the ice ... there's no awkward moments any more, you get past the small chat,' Sheehan said. 'You're going to get to understand people's stories and what's behind them. But that's been one of the most enjoyable parts of the last few weeks, just getting to know new people. 'We had a few drinks together during the admin day, which is probably the best way to do it. All the forced fun can be a bit tedious at times and sometimes you just need to break it down. A few beers, relax and let your hair down... that's where all the good stories came from.' Burtley given shot at redemption On Saturday, the Lions face the Western Force, which will provide a measure of redemption for Kurtley Beale. The Australian outside-back crucially slipped as he was lining up a penalty kick in the final minutes of the Lions' first Test victory over the Wallabies in 2013. The Lions went on to win the series 2-1 but 36-year-old Beale says that he has never watched a replay of his infamous missed kick. 'I still haven't watched it properly,' Beale said. 'But you learn from that and put yourself in those positions week in, week out in training to try and correct some wrongs. It's just an ongoing process and I feel like I've done that now. 'That was a real disappointment in that game one, an embarrassing moment but plenty of learnings. From that day onwards, I've worn studs! It was a crucial moment in the series, wasn't it? I was just very thankful to have strong team-mates around me to pick me back up and get my focus into the next game. It's just going to be an amazing series. I've been sharing stories with a lot of the guys in the team here about just how big it's going to be and just making sure they enjoy it and embrace this week and the opportunity to play against some world class players.'
