Canada keen to develop 'important relationship' with PWR clubs

Canada head coach Kévin Rouet has revealed his ambition to strengthen links between the national team and Premiership Women’s Rugby clubs.

Ahead of Canada’s WXV Global Series-opening win against Scotland in Edinburgh, the squad were joined by Trailfinders Women coach Barney Maddison in camp.

The 37-year-old – who coached the West London club to the PWR final last season – joined the squad as a guest coach ahead of Canada’s 64-26 win at Hive Stadium. Rouet already has Saracens director of women’s rugby Alex Austerberry and Loughborough Lightning head coach Nathan Smith as part of his Canada coaching set-up.

“Barney was just a guest coach for two weeks – he won’t be with us for England,” Rouet explained. “Alex from Sarries and Nathan from Loughborough are more consistent with us. Barney has eight or nine Canadians, Loughborough have eight and Saracens will have a little less this year, but still a lot of Canadians.

“For me, the goal is very simple and it is not a secret: the girls spend 80 per cent of their time in a PWR environment. I think it’s important that we have this relationship to make sure that both environments profit from each other. It’s a win-win situation.

“It’s about relationships and helping the girls to be in a great set-up when they spend 80 per cent of their time [at PWR clubs]. That is my goal.”

This weekend, Canada play England’s Red Roses in a repeat of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final. Last year, the North Americans made a huge impression on their way to the showpiece finale at Allianz Stadium but came up short against the world’s top-ranked side.

There are currently 25 Canada internationals contracted to PWR clubs. This has provided players with meaningful match minutes and, in turn, helped the Canada national team flourish.

Last season, a Saracens team buoyed by a number of Canadian players claimed its fourth PWR – formerly Premier15s – title since the English top flight was rebranded ahead of the 2017/18 season.

Canada captain Sophie de Goede was among them and played a starring role. Ahead of next season, Loughborough have signed six Canada internationals, who join Fancy Bermudez in the East Midlands.

BBC Sport have reported that England Rugby’s lobbying with PWR to increase game time for England-qualified players may have paid off at the start of the 2027/28 season.

The RFU confirmed to BBC Sport that the current requirement for 13 EQP players per matchday squad will continue, but the club injury credit will be removed. From the 2027/28 season, only players who are injured while representing an England team will be eligible.

“Sadly, we don’t have a quality league in Canada at the moment,” Rouet said. “I hope that will come. That’s my number one wish. But it’s not there yet.

“I loved going into PWR last year. I needed a personal project – going to Saracens and coaching every weekend. This year is about building relationships with those three PWR teams where we have a lot of Canadians.”

“I think there’s mutual benefit there,” de Goede continued. “It’s not like we’re coming in to try and spy by any means. It’s very much a selfish pursuit of trying to get better for the national team.

“As Kévin said, we just don’t have the quality of league in Canada. If we had a quality league in Canada, I would come home. No question. We just don’t have that.

“PWR makes the most sense, I think that’s the same for a number of Canadians, so we go there and we learn lots and hopefully impart something upon the clubs we are at too.”