PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: ALARIE AIMING TO STAR IN THIRD-CAREER RUGBY WORLD CUP

Full Name: Elissa Alarie
Hometown: Trois-Rivieres, QC
Club: Westshore RFC, SABRFC, Braves de TR
Position: Full back
Caps: 37
Debut: 2013 vs England

A star of both Canada’s Senior Women’s 15s and Sevens teams, Elissa Alarie is one of the veterans on Head Coach Kevin Rouet’s squad currently competing in the Pacific Four Series.

Aged 36 and originally from Trois-Rivieres in Quebec, the trilingual (English, French and Spanish) full back began her rugby journey at 15 years old when she was first introduced to the sport. Previously a quarterback in flag football, she was intrigued and attracted by the combination of speed, agility, intelligence, power and endurance required to play the game.

Her talent and enthusiasm for rugby quickly became apparent as she went on to participate in Quebec’s U19 program before advancing to represent Rugby Canada’s U19 Age Grade team. From there, Alarie’s star continued to rise and she earned her first senior 15s cap in 2013, scoring two tries in a tight 29-25 victory over England.

The highlight of her career to date came as a member of the 2014 Rugby World Cup squad which earned a Silver medal. She was also part of the 2017 Rugby World Cup squad in Ireland and has represented Canada at two Olympic Games (2016 and 2020) as part of the Sevens program.

So far at this year’s Pacific Four Series, Alarie has started both matches against the USA and New Zealand, and has been named in Rouet’s starting line up to face Australia in their third and final game this weekend.

Fans in Canada can watch the match against Australia live on TSN.ca or the TSN App with an encore presentation set to air on TSN 4 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Pacific on Saturday.

As a veteran of the squad, one of Alarie’s natural tendencies includes taking younger players under her wing and ensuring they feel comfortable in the Senior Women’s 15s environment. She is also one of an increasing number of crossover athletes as a key player on Jack Hanratty’s Senior Women’s Sevens team having appeared in 21 matches during the 2022 season.

Heading into the Senior Women’s 15s Summer Fixtures, Alarie will be hoping to continue to be ever-present – as she has been so far in 2022 – ahead of making what would be her third-career Rugby World Cup appearance in New Zealand this October and November.

Elissa Alarie is a strong LGBTQ advocate and, as Rugby Canada continues to celebrate Pride Month, fans are encouraged to keep an eye on our channels over the next few weeks for an exciting and informative content piece she will be taking part in.

See Canada’s Senior Women’s 15s team in action this summer as they take on Italy on July 24 at Starlight Stadium in Langford, BC and Wales on August 27 at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax, NS as they continue their Journey to the Rugby World Cup. Click here for ticket details.