Scrumqueens Reports: Canada look to bounce back in London

See the London 7s pools, schedule and results here.

from Scrumqueens:

Canada have named their squad of 14 players to travel and compete at the IRB London Sevens on May 12-13 and shortly after in the Amsterdam Sevens from May 19-20.

The Canadians are looking to bounce back from their semi-final exit in Hong Kong recently – their first loss in five tournaments when they were beaten by England.

Canada are also looking to re-gain the IRB Challenge Cup in London – a title they won in Dubai but relinquished to England in Hong Kong.

The squad will depart on May 8th from Langford, where they have been training together since January.

“The selection process has actually become more difficult,” said head coach John Tait. “There are girls that haven’t been regulars in other competitions that have been pushing really hard from the Maple Leafs squad. With having these extra matches, this will be a good opportunity to give some of the younger girls more opportunity to play in this tournament.”

Coach John Tait is pleased with the addition of the London Sevens tournament this year, as the women will be the playing at least six matches in London.

“We are looking forward to having the opportunity to play additional games. Having 12 teams in this tournament is going to give us the opportunity for at least 5 to 6 games. At this stage for us, the most important thing is getting more and more game experience under our belt,” explains Tait.

The squad is filled with many familiar faces including the likes of Magali Harvey, Jen Kish, and Ghislain Landry. All the women who competed at Hong Kong will be returning minus Andrea Burk, who is out with an injury.

2012 London/Amsterdam Sevens Squad

Jessica Dovanne – Velox Valkyries (Victoria, BC)
Megan Gibbs – Markham Irish Canadians (Barrie, ON)
Magali Harvey – Club de Rugby de Quebec / St. Francis-Xavier University (Quebec City, QC)
Jen Kish – Edmonton Rockers (Edmonton, AB)
Ghislaine Landry – Toronto Scottish RFC (Toronto, ON)
Mandy Marchak – Capilano RFC (North Vancouver, BC / Winnipeg, MN)
Barbara Mervin – Velox Valkyries (Victoria, BC)
Kayla Moleschi – University of Lethbridge / University of Lethbridge (Williams Lake, BC)
Cheryl Phillips – Toronto Scottish RFC (Toronto, ON)
Kelly Russell – Toronto Nomads (Bolton, ON)
Ashley Steacy – Lethbridge Rugby Club (Lethbridge, AB)
Brittany Waters – Meraloma Athletic Club (Vancouver, BC)
Kelsey Willoughby – Lethbridge Rugby Club / University of Lethbridge (Lethbridge, AB)
Julianne Zussman- Town of Mount Royal RFC, (Montreal, QB)

See the London 7s pools, schedule and results here.