FRANCE DEFEAT CANADA TO OPEN NOVEMBER TOUR

from Rugby Canada:

Canada’s Women’s Fifteens Team opened their November Tour with a 27-19 loss to France on Saturday evening in Pontarlier.

Canada, who flew to the France earlier in the week, were slow to get going and found themselves down 12-0 early in the first half after two French tries. Toronto native Ghislaine Landry made her return to Canada’s Fifteens roster and played a strong game at flyhalf.

Canada’s first try came from Bianca Farella on a tremendous run beating multiple French defenders with her footwork and speed. Andrea Burk would add the conversion to bring the game to 12-7 for the home side.

In the second half, Landry’s perfectly executed kick over the French winger would bounce fortuitously to fellow Canada Sevens star, Magali Harvey for the visiting sides second try of the game.

Farella would add another five points in the second half, with another two added off the boot of Burk, but that would be it for Canada as the final score would stand 27-19 for France.

“We are frustrated because we could have won today. Our start was not great and sometimes we had a lack of connection between each other, but I am not worried about the capacity of this group to fix it and come back stronger on Tuesday against France again in Amneville,” said Francois Ratier following the loss.

“We are still in a selection process for the World Cup and it is important to give a chance to all these players to demonstrate their skills under pressure,” added Ratier.

Canada will now travel to Amneville for a rematch against France on Tuesday, November 5 before ending the November Tour in London at The Twickenham Stoop against England.

Canada’s Scoring

Tries: Farella (x2), Harvey
Conversions: Burk (x2)

Canada’s Roster to Face France – (Club) Hometown, Province

1.Marie-Pier Pinault-Ried – (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
2.Kim Donaldson – (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) Toronto, ON
3.Hilary Leith – (Saracens/Capilano RFC) BC
4.Latoya Blackwood – (St. Anne de Bellevue) Montreal, QC
5.Maria Samson – (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB
6.Karen Paquin – (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
7.Kelly Russell – (Capt) (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON – Captain
8.Jacey Murphy – (Aurora Barbarians) Alliston, ON
9.Stephanie Bernier – (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec
10.Ghislaine Landry – (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
11.Magali Harvey – (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
12.Andrea Burk – (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC
13.Brittany Benn – (Guelph Redcoats) Napanee, ON
14.Bianca Farella – (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC
15.Elissa Alarie – (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) Trois-Rivieres, QC
16.Laura Russell – (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
17.Olivia DeMerchant – (Woodstock Wildmen) Mapledale, NB
18.Mary Jane Kirby – (Highland RFC) Brampton, ON
19.Tyson Beukeboom – (Aurora Barbarians) Uxbridge, Ontario
20.Kayla Mack – (Wild Oats RFC) Saskatoon, SK
21.Kayla Moleschi – (Williams Lake Rustlers) Williams Lake, BC
22.Jackie Tittley – (Montreal Barbarians RFC) Montreal, QC
23.Brittany Waters – (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC

Non-Travelling Reserves:
Asya Bartley – (Barrhaven Scottish RFC) Ottawa, ON
Caitlin Beaton – (Fergus Highland RFC) Clavering, ON
Katie McNally – (Guelph Redcoats) Guelph, ON
Claragh Pegg – (Kingston Panthers RFC) Barrie, ON
Julia Sugawara – (Burnaby Lake) Surrey, BC

Unavailable for Selections:
Arielle Dubissette-Borrice – (Toronto Scottish) Toronto, ON
Cheryl Phillips – (Toronto Scottish RFC) Scarborough, ON
Ashley Steacy – (Lethbridge Rugby Club) Lethbridge, AB

Staff:
Francois Ratier, Head Coach
Gary Dukelow, Forwards Coach
Colette McAuley, Backs Coach
John Tait, Technical Advisor
Adrienne Stinson, Physiotherapist
Steve MacKinnon, Strength and Conditioning Coach
Manager, Meaghan Howat

Canada 19 – 27 France
Saturday November 2, 2013
Pontarlier, France

Canada vs. France
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Amneville, France

Canada vs. England
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
The Twickenham Stoop, London, England

Canada’s Women’s Fifteens Team is proudly sponsored by Trafigura.