Scurfield returns as Canada announce men’s and women’s sevens camps

Krissy Scurfield is the headline returnee as Rugby Canada announced training camp squads ahead of the 2025/26 sevens season.

Canada’s women will start the new HSBC SVNS Series season in Dubai on Saturday 29 November as they look to improve on their bronze medal finish at the HSBC SVNS World Championships last term.

22-year-old Olympic silver medallist, Scurfield, has returned to Jocelyn Barrieau’s squad after a year with Premiership Women’s Rugby outfit Loughborough Lightning in which she registered 14 tries.

It is a squad that sees a number of seasoned campaigners, including 2024/25 regulars Piper Logan, Carissa Norsten, Breanne Nicholas and Carmen Izyk.

With the likes of Olivia Apps, Florence Symonds and Asia Hogan-Rochester either playing their rugby in England or taking time off after their Women’s Rugby World Cup campaigns, it means there are plenty of opportunities for emerging talent.

“With several players currently competing in Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) or taking a well-deserved break after a long World Cup campaign, we have an opportunity for emerging talent to gain experience alongside some seasoned sevens players,” Barrieau said.

“We will potentially see some new names and faces on the international stage later this month as the SVNS Series begins. We’re thrilled to bring a large group of players together to spend meaningful time both on and off the field in the coming weeks.

“It’s an exciting time for women’s rugby in Canada, coming off the energy of the Rugby World Cup in England. We truly felt the country rally around our team and our players, and we’re eager to carry that momentum forward with the sevens program as we prepare for our first two tournaments of the year in Dubai and South Africa.”

The Canadian men begin their season at the Rugby Americas North Sevens in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday 21 November. It is a crucial tournament for the side as they plot their return to the newly formatted three-tier HSBC SVNS Series.

They will be led by interim head coach Christiaan Esterhuizen in the Caribbean. The South African is marrying his commitments as the head coach of Rugby Canada’s Pacific Pride Development Academy and Men’s Under-20s team.

Much like the women’s squad there are a number of rookie members in Esterhuizen’s squad as a number of core sevens players touring Europe with the XVs squad this autumn.

“We’re fortunate to have been able to invite a strong group of players into camp,” Esterhuizen said.

“With several of our core players currently involved with the 15s program in Europe, it’s an exciting chance to look at some younger talent, while still leaning on a few experienced players who have been part of the Sevens environment before.

“The RAN tournament will be a great opportunity for these players to put their hand up and take the first step in our three-year journey toward LA 2028.”

Canada Women’s Sevens team camp roster

Savannah Bauder, Justine Blatt-Janmatt, Pamphinette Buisa, Emily Clark, Monique Coffey, Kendra Cousineau, Chloe Daniels, Maddy Donnelly, Carmen Izyk, Tia Jordo, Eden Kilgour, Piper Logan, Brogan Mior, Breanne Nicholas, Carissa Norsten, Ivy Poetker, Adia Pye, Krissy Scurfield, Kennedi Stevenson, Zina Umeh, Ava Van Santen, Charity Williams, Larah Wright

Canada Men’s Sevens team camp roster

Cooper Allen, Jamie Armstrong, D’Shawn Bowen, Drew Belbin, Taine Clague, Andy Cooper, Harry Corkum, Thomas Cuzange, Johnny Franklin, Ethan Hager, Elias Hancock, Thomas Isherwood, Austin James, Rhys James, Ian Jones, Jesse Kilgour, Lockie Kratz, Kainoa Lloyd, Michael Moloney, Liam Poulton, Glenn Roy, Koen Schroeder, James Thiel, Luke Toroca, Ethan Turner