De Goede included in 30-player Canada squad for Pacific Four Series

World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, Sophie de Goede, has been included in Canada‘s 30-player squad for the 2026 Pacific Four Series.

Since her starring role at last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, the goal-kicking forward has made just one Premiership Women’s Rugby appearance for Saracens in an injury disrupted season. This weekend the 26-year-old is set to make her second appearance for the North London side against Sale Sharks at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Head coach, Kévin Rouet, has confirmed that the side will continue to be captained by Alexandra Tessier. In total the squad includes 18 players that took part in the North Americans’ run to the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Allianz Stadium.

“Players, coaches, staff and myself are all very excited to get back together again and begin a new four-year cycle together,” Rouet said.

“It’s a new chapter for the team, we want to enjoy the special moments and success we had last year but also understand we must start building towards the next Olympics games and the 2029 Rugby World Cup.

“These next two years will be focused on giving young players the opportunity to showcase themselves and continue to develop the players with international experience.”

Rouet has also included seven uncapped players that could make their Test rugby debuts in the Pacific Four Series: Sierra Gillis, Kiki Idowu, Lizzie Gibson, Corinne Fréchette, Maggie MacKinnon, Chloe Daniels and Aurora Bowie.

The squad will assemble in Sacramento, California, at the end of March for a training camp. At the Pacific Four Series, Canada will open their campaign against Australia in Southern California on Saturday 11 April. A week later they will take on the Black Ferns in a repeat of their Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final in Kansas City, Missouri.

To finish the tournament Canada will take on the USA Women’s Eagles in Chicago. The USA will now led by former Canada Women’s Sevens coach, Jack Hanratty, who guided the team to a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Canada Women’s 2026 Pacific Four Series squad

Forwards
Ashlynn Smith
Brooke Rempel*
Brittany Kassil
Cassandra Tuffnail
DaLeaka Menin
Emily Tuttosi
Fabiola Forteza
Gabrielle Senft
Julia Omokhuale
Kiki Idowu*
Laetitia Royer
Lizzie Gibson*
Maya Montiel
Pamphinette Buisa
Rachel Smith
Sierra Gillis*
Sophie de Goede
Taylor McKnight

Backs
Alexandra Tessier (C)
Asia Hogan-Rochester
Aurora Bowie*
Chloe Daniels*
Claire Gallagher
Corinne Frechette*
Justine Pelletier
Maggie MacKinnon*
Mahalia Robinson
Paige Farries
Shoshanah Seumanutafa
Taylor Perry

*denotes potential debut