14 new faces for Canada

Ratier has named 27 players to the squad, with less than half of them returning from Canada’s second place finish at the 2014 Women’s World Cup. The youthful squad means there are 14 new faces with varying levels of international experience.“We are two years away from the next World Cup,” Ratier said. “It is time for young or new players to have their chance and for the returning players to take the lead. I am expecting a strong chemistry during this Super Series.“Team culture is the key and the team will always be more important than individuals.”Tyson Beukeboom, Latoya Blackwood, Andrea Burk, Olivia DeMerchant, Mary-Jane Kirby, Barbara Mervin, Jacey Murphy, Cindy Nelles, Laura Russell, Maria Samson, Amanda Thornborough, Brittany Waters and Julianne Zussman are the returning World Cup players.Canada will face New Zealand, the USA and England over the course of the Super Series with games taking place in Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton. All four teams are currently ranked in the top six world rankings.“It’s always important to play the best in the world,” Ratier said. “New Zealand and England have both new coaches so we will see what they have to offer. They all will be strong, there’s no doubt about that.”In the lead up to the squad selection, Atlantic, East and West camps were held where players had the opportunity to showcase their skills to Ratier and his staff.“These camps went well, players performed fitness tests, worked on basic skills, decision making and team culture,” Ratier said. “It’s important to have these regional camps to maintain a high performance environment during the off season.”

CanadaGillian Allen, (Kirin) Saskatoon, SKTyson Beukeboom, (Aurora Barbarians) Uxbridge, ONLayota Blackwood, (St. Anne de Bellevue) Montreal, QCAndrea Burk, (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BCOlivia DeMerchant, (Woodstock Wildmen) Mapledale, NBJulia Folk, (Regina Rogues), Regina, SKLisa Gauthier, (St-Anne de Bellevue), St-Bernardino, ONChelsea Guthrie, (Stratchona Druids) Edmonton, ABLori Josephson, (Aurora Barbarians) Beaverton, ONMary-Jane Kirby, (Highland RFC) Brampton, ONCarolyn McEwan (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club), Vancouver, BCKatie McNally (Velox Valkries) Guelph, ONDaLeaka Menin, (Hornets) Vulcan, ABBarbara Mervin, (Velox RFC) Peterborough, ONJacey Murphy, (Aurora Barbarians) Alliston, ONJess Neilson, (Meraloma) Vancouver, BCCindy Nelles, (Belleville Bulldogs) Belleville, ONTiffany Picketts (UVIC VIKES/ Abbotsford Rugby Club), Abbotsford, BCCamile Provencal-Aube, (Abénakis et CRQ) Sherbrooke, QBLaura Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ONMaria Samson, (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, ABNatasha Smith, (Barrhaven Scottish) Ottawa, ONEmma Taylor,Alex Tessier, (Montreal Barbarians) Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QBAmanda Thornborough, (Brandon Barbarians RFC) Brandon, MBBrittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BCJulianne Zussman, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC