Tessier to lead Canada at women's Rugby World Cup in England
Rugby Canada announced Thursday its 32-player roster for the elite women's rugby tournament.
Tessier, a nominee for World Rugby Player of the Year in 2024, is set to earn her 59th cap for Canada.
She has scored six tries and 53 points over her 10-year international career that includes World Cup appearances in 2017 and 2021 (played in 2022).
Twenty-one players from the 2021 Rugby World Cup team have been named to head coach Kevin Rouet's squad, including veterans Tyson Beukeboom, Olivia DeMerchant and Karen Paquin. All three will represent Canada at the Rugby World Cup for a fourth time.
Sophie de Goede, a member of the World Rugby Women's Dream Team in 2022 and 2024, was named to her second World Cup squad. She came off the bench in a 33-5 win over South Africa earlier this month after a 13-month injury absence.
Canada is in Pool B with Fiji, Wales and Scotland. It opens its tournament Aug. 23 against Fiji in York.
The Canadians finished fourth at the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand. Their best finish was runner-up to England at the 2014 event in France.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
29 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Chloe Kelly delivers as England's clutch player again in latest Euro triumph
BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Chloe Kelly has written her name in the history books. Or perhaps that should be rewritten. Kelly was England's hero again at the Women's European Championship on Sunday, setting up the equalizer in the final before coolly firing home the winning spot kick in the shootout to seal victory over World Cup winner Spain. The 27-year-old Kelly is establishing herself as one of the most clutch players around. 'I just came on to the pitch and wanted to make something happen,' Kelly said. 'I actually missed three penalties in training yesterday. 'I'm really proud to be English right now.' It was back-to-back European trophies for England and yet another final that Kelly had a huge impact on after coming on as a substitute during the Euro 2022 trophy match and scoring the winner against Germany in extra time to clinch a 2-1 victory. Kelly has also been one of England's super subs at Euro 2025. Against Sweden in the quarterfinals, Kelly was brought on in the 78th minute with England trailing 2-0 and had an immediate impact, whipping in two pinpoint crosses for Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang to score and take the match to extra time — with England winning a penalty shootout. Then came Italy in the semifinals and another Kelly-inspired England fightback. Kelly scored the decisive goal in the 119th minute, shooting home the rebound only after Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani saved her penalty kick. 'I was adamant I was not missing two on the bounce,' Kelly said on Sunday. Hop, skip and thump It was a typically tense shootout, but Kelly showed nerves of steel with her hop, skip and thump penalty technique. 'It started when I was at Everton. It's something that just works for me. I take my time and take my breath and it just feels normal,' Kelly said. Kelly's performances during the tournament had some clamoring for her to start. However, she was again named on the bench for the final but became an emergency substitute rather than an impact substitute, coming on in the 41st minute after Lauren James was forced off with injury. And it was a trademark Kelly cross from the left for Alessia Russo to head in the equalizer in the 57th minute. 'She's an incredible player and it's nothing short of what she deserves as well,' England forward Lauren Hemp said. 'She's incredible and she's a great friend as well … she's always so inspiring, motivational to all of us. 'For her to come on and get them moments, it's so special for her and I hope she gets many more special moments in the future but she's someone we can count on and it's amazing to have that in your team.' 'Thank you everyone who wrote me off' The double joy of another European champion winner's medal as well as a Champions League one, won in May with Arsenal, has helped draw a line under a difficult period for Kelly. She was unwanted at Manchester City and lashed out at the club as her loan move was completed in January at the end of the transfer window. It was announced during Euro 2025 that Kelly had completed a permanent move to Arsenal after her contract with City expired. 'Thank you everyone who wrote me off, I'm grateful,' Kelly said with a relish on Sunday. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Kelly also credited her family and England coach Sarina Wiegman for helping her get through the tough times. 'She gave me hope when i probably didn't have any,' Kelly said. 'There were a lot of tears at full time especially when I saw my family. Those are the people that got me through dark moments.' ___ AP soccer:
The Province
2 hours ago
- The Province
How Trump could complicate Canada's 2026 World Cup hosting plans
'No one wants to go to the World Cup to watch some soccer games and then end up in jail,' says professor of sports economy Published Jul 27, 2025 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 5 minute read U.S. President Donald Trump celebrates with members of Chelsea FC after they won the FIFA Club World Cup in July. U.S. immigration policy under Trump is raising concern about travel, safety and cross-border cooperation for the co-hosted 2026 FIFA World Cup. Photo by David Ramos / Getty Images With less than a year to go until the 2026 World Cup, political tensions and U.S. policy threaten to pose problems as Canada, the United States and Mexico prepare to co-host the tournament. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Next year's FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever, with the three countries hosting a record 48 teams. Between June 11 and July 19, they will play 104 matches, most of them in the U.S. With millions of fans expected to cross borders to attend the games, U.S. President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies — which include travel bans on some countries, immigration raids and mass deportations — are generating anxiety. 'This is all being driven by the United States. And we're entirely the guilty party here,' said Victor Matheson, a professor at College of Holy Cross in Massachusetts who specializes in sports economics. 'You could have significant immigration problems with fans and players going across borders.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The U.S. has travel bans in place for 12 countries and restrictions in place for seven, and is considering banning travellers from another 36 countries. Though there are exemptions for athletes, staff and families, the unpredictability of Trump's administration means no one knows for certain what kind of rules might be in place by the time the tournament starts. No one wants to go to the World Cup to watch some soccer games and then end up in jail. Economist Andrew Zimbalist, who wrote a book on the economics of hosting the World Cup, said Trump has the ability to make it difficult for people to travel, but it's not clear whether he will actually do so. 'I think probably Trump himself might not have the answers because … he responds very impetuously to changes in his environment,' he said. Concerns about visas or political opposition to Trump might lead some soccer fans to decide not to attend at all, while others opt to attend the games in Canada instead, Zimbalist suggested. But he also pointed out that the quarter, semifinals and final are all taking place in the U.S. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A spokesperson for Canadian Heritage said Canada could see a million international visitors during the tournament. 'Given the tri-national nature of the event, it is anticipated that international and domestic travellers will move back and forth between Canada and the United States. The focus will continue to be on the flow of movement, the safety of travellers and the security of the borders,' the spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency said the agency is working closely with federal government departments, host cities and FIFA 'in the safety and security planning for this international event.' How much do premium Toronto, Vancouver FIFA World Cup tickets cost right now? Here's what we know Matheson said fans — particularly those from countries that have found themselves in Trump's crosshairs — have good reasons to be worried. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I would be very concerned about planning a vacation that has you travelling from Mexico or from Canada into the United States and back. I don't think that you can guarantee that vacation of a lifetime is actually going to be there for you to actually take,' he said. He said it's one thing to be denied entry, another to end up in jail and deported — potentially to a prison in El Salvador. 'No one wants to go to the World Cup to watch some soccer games and then end up in jail,' he said. Trump's moves to impose tariffs on much of the world, including Canada, could also affect the World Cup. Matheson offered the example of someone who makes jerseys for a country's team who would want to ship those jerseys across the border with the team. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Tariffs make that type of inventory management pretty challenging,' he said. Tim Elcombe is a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University whose areas of expertise include sports, politics and international affairs. He said 'there was a sense that having the event in Canada, the United States and Mexico would almost be a bit of a calming of the political waters,' as the cup returned to Western countries. Instead, he said, the 2026 tournament may be even more politically charged than the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Canada's Alphonso Davies scores on a header during a game against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images Canada is co-hosting one of world's biggest sporting events with a country whose president has instigated a trade war and threatened annexation. Canadians have cut travel to the U.S. and stopped buying American products — and it's not clear what all of that might mean for the World Cup. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While Vancouver and Toronto will host some games, 'really this is an American-centric competition,' Elcombe said. 'So how will Canadians feel about this? Will we get behind it? Will it become the event I think they were hoping it would be?' In early July, labour and human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, wrote to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to say U.S. policies under Trump pose a 'serious threat' to individuals, especially non-citizens. The letter accused FIFA of ignoring 'the clear evidence of the significant deterioration of the rights climate in the United States.' Elcombe said while the United States is likely to take the brunt of scrutiny, Canada is not immune. 'Canada is going to have to be prepared for a very critical eye in terms of focus on some of the issues in Canada from a human rights perspective, because I think they will be exposed,' he said, citing Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples as one example. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. MacIntosh Ross, a fellow at the Scott McCain and Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health at Saint Mary's University, said Canada should put pressure on the U.S. government 'to make sure that things happen in a safe or as safe a manner as possible.' 'The Canadian organizers and the Canadian government need to be very clear about their expectations for their partners in this World Cup and reiterate them and state them over and over again,' he said. Elcombe noted Infantino, who has 'very much established himself as a friend and supporter of President Trump,' could be a key player in determining how the coming months unfold. U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the 2025 Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, N.J. Photo by Alex Grimm / Getty Images It's difficult to predict what Trump might do, Zimbalist said. If there are political issues in the United States that he wants to distract people from, 'you can see him doing crazier and crazier things internationally to get people's minds off of what's actually happening.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But Trump also has shown that he cares about the World Cup and looking good as he hosts the tournament. 'I think he does care about image and he does care about being on the world stage,' Zimbalist said. 'So I can see that being a significant deterrent, actually.' Read More Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Whitecaps News BC Lions Vancouver Whitecaps
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada's Leylah Fernandez wins Citi Open for fourth career WTA title
WASHINGTON – Canada's Leylah Fernandez defeated Russian Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2 for her fourth career WTA title at the Citi Open hardcourt tennis tournament on Sunday. Fernandez's last title came at Hong Kong in October 2023. Her most recent final had been a bit over a year ago when she was a runner-up to Daria Kasatkina on the grass of WTA 500 Eastbourne. The Laval, Que., native broke on four of her six chances, going 2 for 3 in each of the two sets in the one-hour, nine-minute match. Fernandez also had two aces and four double faults, to go along with winning 75 per cent of her first-serve points. Kalinskaya was held to just one break-point opportunity, which she did not convert, and only won 61.5 per cent of her first-serve points. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Fernandez entered the match having come off a three-hour, 12-minute marathon of a three-set semifinal win over Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina on Saturday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2025.
