Canada Defeat Ireland 21-8 – Face England on October 12th: Video Highlights
It wasn’t a perfect game for Canada but a strong defensive effort limited Ireland to one second half try while Canada did all their scoring in the first half.
Canada’s tries were scored by #10 Claire Gallagher and #6 Julia Omokhuale, both were candidates for player of the match but that honour officially went to Claire Gallagher. Canada’s first score was on a penalty try when Ireland pulled down a maul on the goal line.
Canada will play their final game of the tournament next Saturday against England.
Video Highlights
from Rugby Canada
On the heels of their victory against France to begin WXV 1, Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team defeated Ireland 21-8 in their second match of the tournament, at Willoughby Stadium at Langley Events Centre.
The Canadian victory sets up a potential WXV 1 title game next weekend between the hosts and world number one ranked England, depending on the Red Roses’ result on Sunday October 6 against the New Zealand Black Ferns. Regardless, the WXV 1 finale on October 12 will see two of the top women’s rugby teams in the world, Canada and England, clash for the first time since September 2023.
“Next game is against England, the best team in the world,” said Head Coach Kevin Rouet. “We are in the place we want to be after two games with two wins, to be able to win WXV next week. We made some rotations to the lineup and used a lot of players today, so it is exciting to see good performances from players across our whole squad.”
Canada and Ireland went scoreless through the first 20 minutes of play, with both teams making strong defensive stands to keep the other off the scoreboard. Canada’s Alex Tessier came close to opening the scoring in the 19th minute, but was held up in the tackle on the Irish goal line.
In the 25th minute, a yellow card was given to Ireland for an intentional knock on at their own five metre line. On the ensuing lineout, a Canadian maul eventually led to a penalty try, as well as a second yellow card to Ireland, with the hosts going up 7-0.
Seven minutes later, Canada’s Alex Ellis was sent off with a yellow card, for repeated infringements around the breakdown. On the mark of the penalty, Ireland kicked a penalty to put up their first points, narrowing Canada’s lead to 7-3.
Coming onto the field to cover the front row for Ellis was Sooke, BC’s Rori Wood, making her international debut for Canada.
“I was just so excited to get out on the field and do my job, I had to flip a switch pretty quickly but I had the support from everyone around me,” said Wood.
Canada’s offense finally broke through in the 34th minute, with Claire Gallagher dashing over the line to score in the corner and on the following kickoff, the hosts forced a turnover and put flanker Julia Omokhuale into space to score her second international try. Tessier slotted both conversions, giving Canada a 21-3 lead at halftime.
Ireland scored the lone try of the second half early on to pull back to within 13 points of Canada, but that would be as close as the game would get. Canada’s Gallagher was named the Mastercard Player of the Match as the Canadians secured their second victory of WXV 1.
“Ireland brought physicality, challenged us at the breakdown and they were very disciplined and well connected,” said Canadian Captain Tyson Beukeboom.
Canada plays world number one ranked England for their final match of WXV 1 on Saturday October 12 at 7:00 p.m. PT / 10:00 p.m. ET at BC Place in Vancouver.
Canada Announce 23 Players for Ireland Match on Saturday at 3:45pm at Langley Events Centre
Canada have named their roster to face Ireland on Saturday. In match one against France there were 7 players from camp that didn’t suit up, Gillian Boag, Julia Omokhuale, Karen Paquin, Rori Wood in the forwards, and Mahalia Robinson, Sara Kaljuvee, Taylor Perry in the backs, that has been reduced to 4 now as Taylor Perry gets the start at fullback and Rori Wood and Julia Omokhuale are on the bench.
There are a few changes from the France match, tighthead prop DaLeaka Menin is missing from the roster, Alexandria Ellis comes off the bench to take her spot. Courtney Holtcamp comes off the bench to replace player of the match, Laetitia Royer, in the second row with Royer moving to the reserves. Caroline Crossley replaces Fabiola Forteza at openside flanker with Forteza moving to the reserves.
In the backs Alysha Corrigan replaces Paige Farries on the wing, Farries isn’t in the match 23. Taylor Perry starts at fullback with Julia Schell moving to the reserves.
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team Match Day Roster vs Ireland
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs
3. Alexandria Ellis (Ottawa, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish / Stade Français Paris
4. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders
5. Courtney Holtkamp (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby
6. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish
7. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens
9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
10. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Leicester Tigers
11. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs
13. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau
14. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – NWAA / Westshore RFC / Saracens
15. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs
FINISHERS
16. Sara Cline (Edmonton, AB) – Leprechaun Tigers
17. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens
18. Rori Wood (Sooke, BC) – College Rifles RFC
19. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia Univeristy / ASM Romagnat
20. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais
21. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish Rugby Club / Leicester Tigers
22. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC
23. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team’s Head Coach Kevin Rouet has announced the match day roster for Canada’s second match of WXV 1 against Ireland on October 5 at Willoughby Stadium at the Langley Events Centre, with kick-off scheduled for 3:45pm local time in Langley, BC (6:45pm ET).
“It was great to start off WXV 1 with a win last week against a top four team in the world [France] but the squad quickly shifted their focus to be ready for what will be a tough game against Ireland this weekend,” said Rouet. “Ireland will challenge us but even with a short week to prepare the team has looked sharp throughout training. I am excited to see what they will do out on the pitch this Saturday.”
After breaking the all-time Canadian women’s cap record in May with her 68th cap, Tyson Beukeboom will hit another significant milestone on Saturday against Ireland with her 70th.
Former UBC Thunderbird front row Rori Wood from Sooke, BC is set to earn her first international cap for Canada when she comes off the bench on Saturday. Caroline Crossley has earned her first start, having entered Canada’s match against France last weekend in the second half for her first cap. Alex Ellis, Courtney Holtkamp and Alysha Corrigan also move into the starting lineup this weekend.
Taylor Perry, starting at fullback, and Julia Omokhuale, who will begin the game on the bench, are both set to see their first game action of the tournament.
Rouet added: “We made some adjustments to the team after France because it is important that we continue to build depth in our squad. The Rugby World Cup will be a long journey and if we want to accomplish our ultimate goal, we will need a squad full of experienced and talented players. It will take more than just a group of 23 players.”
Tickets for WXV 1 can be purchased HERE. Tickets are purchased as single day passes, with each ticket providing fans access for a full match day. This means purchasers can attend multiple games using a single ticket on October 5 and October 12. Fans will be able to exit and re-enter the stadiums in accordance with regulations.
Additional questions regarding ticket purchases can be directed to tickets@rugby.ca.
All of Canada’s WXV 1 games will be available on TSN and TSN+. On Saturday October 5, Canada’s game against Ireland will be broadcast on TSN3 and livestreamed on TSN+ at 3:45pm PT/6:45pm ET.
More information on WXV can be found HERE.