Canada rest Sophie de Goede for France clash in La Rochelle

Canada captain Sophie de Goede has been rested for her team’s WXV Global Series encounter with France in La Rochelle.

The lock forward played the full 80 minutes of her team’s 26-26 draw with England last time out.

She has been left out of the squad after coaching staff opted to rest certain players ahead of their home fixtures against the Red Roses in October.

Instead, Rachel Smith will partner Laetitia Royer in the second row.

DaLeaka Menin, who was Player of the Match and WXV Global Series Player of the Week for her two-try performance against England, starts in the front-row and earn her 75th cap. It will make her the second-most capped Canadian of all time.

In total there are five changes made by Rouet for the Stade Marcel-Deflandre clash. This includes the addition of sevens specialist Savannah Bauder at full-back.

Taylor mcKnight replaces Gillian Boag on the bench and Aurora Bowie, a debutant at this year’s Pacific Four Series, is named in her first matchday squad of WXV Global Series.

Kévin Rouet, Canada head coach, said: “After a short preparation time coming into these games in Europe, I am really happy with how much the team has grown and connected after just two games.

“This weekend’s game against France will be a new challenge and another opportunity to continue to fine tune parts of our game to make sure we are at our best for our next two games that will be on home soil in Toronto and Ottawa.”

2026 WXV Global Series | Canada matchday squad v France

15. Savannah Bauder (1 cap)
14. Asia Hogan-Rochester (13 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (20 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (70 caps)
11. Charity Williams (2 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (28 caps)
9. Olivia Apps (27 caps)
1. Mikiela Nelson (13 caps)
2. Kiki Idowu (5 caps)
3. DaLeaka Menin (74 caps)
4. Rachel Smith (9 caps)
5. Laetitia Royer (27 caps)
6. Fabiola Forteza (44 caps)
7. Julia Omokhuale (11 caps)
8. Lizzie Gibson (4 caps)

Replacements
16. Taylor McKnight (2 caps)
17. Sophie McDonald (1 cap)
18. Brooke Rempel (4 caps)
19. Pamphinette Buisa (23 caps)
20. Claire Gallagher (24 caps)
21. Gabrielle Senft (45 caps)
22. Justine Pelletier (48 caps)
23. Aurora Bowie (3 caps)