Canada’s U23 Women’s Rugby Team prepares for Border Battle in Boston

Canada’s U23 Women’s Rugby Team will play a two match “Border Battle” against the USA this July in Massachusetts.

Hosted by the MLR’s New England Free Jacks at Veterans Memorial Stadium, the matches are set for Wednesday July 26 at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET and Sunday July 30 at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET.

Two players who competed with Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team at the 2023 World Rugby Pacific Four Series in Ottawa have been named to the squad, Claire Gallagher and Mya Brubacher. The roster also includes seven players who participated in the 40-player pre-Pacific Four Series camp: Corinne Fréchette, Jordan McLeod, Rachel Smith, Rori Wood, Savannah Bauder, Talia Hennessy and Zoe Williams.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity ahead of us,” said Dan Valley, U23 women’s program lead and Queen’s University Head Coach. “We’ve selected an outstanding group of players, a roster filled top to bottom with U SPORTS All-Canadians, Conference All-Stars, and Maple Leaf Academy players.”

“As with any tour of this nature, our biggest challenge will be attuning to each other’s habits as quickly as possible so that we’re ready to get in the ring with the USA on July 26. I am very confident in the work that our squad has been doing in the build-up to our tour, and I am even more confident that we’ll be ready to get to work when we assemble in Boston on July 20.”

Selection for the U23 women’s program consisted through nominations led by university coaches and provincial unions. Further emphasizing the connection between the age grade and senior women’s programs, Head Coach Kevin Rouet will lead the U23 team in Massachusetts, supported by U23 Assistant Coaches Brittany Waters (University of Victoria Head Coach) and Blake Wilson (Queen’s University Assistant Coach).

Both matches will be livestreamed for free on The Rugby Network. Tickets are available for purchase here.

CANADA’S U23 WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM USA TOUR

FORWARDS

Brianna Martey (Ottawa, ON) – University of Guelph
Cécile Leclerc (Québec, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Université Laval
Emily Clark (Mississauga, ON) – Guelph Redcoats / University of Guelph
Grace Anderson (Montreal, QC) – Kingston Panthers / Queen’s University
Jordan McLeod (Rivers, MB) – Brandon Barbarians / University of British Columbia
Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish / University of Calgary
Katie McLeod (Richmond Hill, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / McMaster University
Kennedy Feasby (Port Perry, ON) – University of Guelph
Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Kingston Panthers / Queen’s University
Madison Jumeau (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria
Mya Brubacher (West Montrose, ON) – Queen’s University
Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) –University of British Columbia
Rori Wood (Sooke, BC) – University of British Columbia
Siobhan Sheerin (Toronto, ON) – Scarborough RFC / Queen’s University
Talia Hennessy (Chelsea, QC) – Ottawa Irish / University of Ottawa
Tylo Borsboom (Winnipeg, MB) – Assassins RFC / University of Ottawa
Zoe Williams (Victoria, BC) – Westshore RFC / University of Victoria

BACKS

Carmen Izyk (High River, AB) – Foothills Lions / Queen’s University
Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / University of Ottawa
Corinne Fréchette (Saint-Zéphirin-de-Courval, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Université Laval
Jaden Walker (Oakville, ON) – Kingston Panthers / Queen’s University
Justine Blatt-Janmaat (Wolfville, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Westshore / University of Victoria
Kendra Cousineau (Port Colborne, ON) – Niagara Wasps / University of Guelph
Laura Guay (Québec, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Université Laval
Maddy Kushner (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish / Queen’s University
Maelle Reed (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / University of Victoria
Maggie Banks (Coquitlam, BC) – Kingston Panthers / Queen’s University
Maggie MacKinnon (Sooke, BC) – University of Victoria
Natalie Armatage (Waterloo, ON) – Guelph Redcoats / University of Guelph
Savannah Bauder (North Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia