Two-time Olympic medallist to make Test debut for Canada against Scotland

Two-time Olympic medallist Charity Williams will make her Test rugby debut against Scotland in Canada’s WXV Global Series opener in Edinburgh.

The 29-year-old has competed in rugby sevens at three Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal in 2016 and silver in Paris two years ago.

She is joined by current Canada Women’s Sevens teammate Savannah Bauder in the squad. Williams starts on the left wing in a back three that also contains Fancy Bermudez and Claire Gallagher.

There is also a potential debut for loosehead prop Sophie McDonald, who has been capped at age-grade level. She is named among the replacements alongside Bauder.

“It’s always exciting to see players earn their first cap for Canada,” Rouet said. “Myself, the players and staff are all very excited to see what these three can do on the field. Charity obviously has had a very successful sevens career, Savannah is just getting started in hers but has been excellent, and Sophie performed well during the QORC (Quebec Ontario Rugby Championship). All will bring their own flair to the game on Saturday and will give us a chance to win.”

Sophie de Goede does not start at Hive Stadium after a prior commitment to her master’s degree meant the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year missed several days of training. The 27-year-old takes a place among the replacements and Alexandra Tessier captains the team from inside centre.

“We had a good week of preparation in Ireland last week which has carried over as we get ready for Scotland on Saturday,” Rouet said. “As I have mentioned before, these games are very important for us to be able to give younger players experience at the international level while also making sure we field a team that gives us the best chance to win. It’s the first match of WXV for both teams, it should be a great game.”

2026 WXV Global Series | Canada match day squad v Scotland

15. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Ealing Trailfinders / Aurora Barbarians (22 caps)
14. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Loughborough Lightning / Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Westshore RFC (19 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds (18 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Exeter Chiefs / Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (68 caps)
11. Charity Williams (Toronto, ON) – Markham Irish (uncapped)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (26 caps)
9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Saracens / Lindsay RFC (25 caps)
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Ontario West / Guelph Goats (56 caps)
2. Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds / Toronto Scottish (3 caps)
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Exeter Chiefs / Calgary Hornets (72 caps)
4. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds (7 caps)
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University (25 caps)
6. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Saracens / Calgary Irish Rugby Club (9 caps)
7. Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders (2 caps)
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Stade Bordelais / Castaway Wanderers (43 caps)

Finishers

16. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets (44 caps)
17. Sophie McDonald (Ottawa, ON) – Ontario East / University of Ottawa / Ottawa Rugby Club (uncapped)
18. Brooke Rempel (Ariss, ON) – Loughborough Lightning / Ontario West / Brantford Harlequins (2 caps)
19. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Saracens / Castaway Wanderers (44 caps)
20. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Loughborough Lightning / Ottawa Irish (21 caps)
21. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Stade Bordelais / Club de rugby de Québec (46 caps)
22. Savannah Bauder (North Vancouver, BC) – UBC Thunderbirds / Capilano RFC (uncapped)
23. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (11 caps)