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The Guardian
29-07-2025
- The Guardian
Alpine adventures: fairytale hiking in the hidden French Alps
The baguette was fresh from the boulangerie that morning, a perfect fusion of airy lightness and crackled crust. The cheese – a nutty, golden gruyère – we'd bought from Pierre: we hadn't expected to hike past a human, let alone a fromagerie, in the teeny hillside hamlet of Rouet, and it had taken a while to rouse the cheesemaker from within his thick farmhouse walls. But thankfully we'd persevered. Because now we were resting in a valley of pine and pasture with the finest sandwich we'd ever eaten. Just two ingredients. Three, if you counted the mountain air. As lunches go, it was deliciously simple. But then, so was this trip, plainly called 'Hiking in the French Alps' on the website. The name had struck me as so unimaginative I was perversely intrigued; now it seemed that Macs Adventure – organisers of this self-guided walk in the Queyras region – were just being admirably to the point. Yes, Queyras. I hadn't heard of it either. Bordered to the north and east by Italy, barricaded by a phalanx of 3,000-metre peaks, this regional natural park might be the least-discovered – and the Frenchest – corner of the Alps. Queyras only really entered the national consciousness in 1957, after disastrous floods made it briefly headline news. Tourism filtered in. But it remains little known to outsiders, and centuries of undisturbed agriculture and isolation mean its rural character has been preserved. Even now Queyras takes some effort to reach. Either you take the narrow, hair-pinning road through the gorges of the Guil River from Guillestre. Or you drive over the 2,361-metre Col d'Izoard (from Briançon) or the 2,744-metre Col Agnel (from Italy), both of which periodically test the thighs of Tour de France riders, and both of which close over winter, all but cutting Queyras off from the rest of the world. Making the most of Macs Adventure's collaboration with the no-fly specialists Byway, my husband and I travelled as close as we could by train. We overnighted in Paris, whizzed down to south-east France, then chugged more slowly towards Montdauphin-Guillestre, where a Vauban hilltop fort surveils a strategic meeting of valleys. Finally, we boarded the end-of-day school bus, joining children inured to the spectacular views to squeeze up the valley to Ceillac, gateway to the natural park. The plan from here was to spend six days hiking a circular route that promised big, satisfying climbs but no technical terrain (and no shared dorms or privation). Covering up to 12 miles each day – and walking for an average of six hours – we'd use parts of the GR58 (the grande randonnée that circuits Queyras) as well as other trails to roam between traditional villages. We'd eat cheese, gaze over lakes and mountains, and generally revel in a region that, reputedly, has 300 days of sunshine a year and as many species of flowers as it does people (about 2,500 of both). On day one this meant walking from Ceillac to Saint-Véran, over the Col des Estronques (2,651 metres). It was a fine start, under blue September skies – we'd come at the end of the hiking season (the trip runs June to mid-September), when crocuses still fleck the meadows and houseleeks hang on higher up, but the bilberry bushes are beginning to blaze in fall-fiery colours and there's a sense of change in the air. We joined a light stream of other walkers, progressing up the valley via lonely farmsteads and meadows bouncing with crickets. Noisy choughs and a boisterous breeze welcomed us to the pass itself; 100 vertical metres more took us to the lookout of Tête de Jacquette, where we felt like monarchs of this mountain realm. These may not have been the very biggest Alps – few peaks sported any snow – but they rippled every which way, great waves of limestone, dolomite, gabbro and schist. From the col we dropped down through arolla pine and larch to Saint-Véran. At 2,042 metres, it claims to be the highest village in Europe. It's also a snapshot of Alpine life before the modern world seeped in. The oldest house, built in traditional Saint-Véran style, dates to 1641 and is now the Soum Museum; the ground floor, with its half-metre-thick stone walls, is where animals and families would sleep together for warmth. The upper floors, built from tree trunks, were used to keep hay, barley and rye; the grains were made into coarse loaves that would last all winter, baked in the communal oven. That enormous village oven is still fired up a few times a year, for festivals. But I was pleased to be fed at Hotel le Grand Tétras ('Capercaillie') instead. Here, we feasted on gratin d'oreilles d'âne (literally 'donkey's ears', actually a delicious spinach lasagne) and stayed in a simple room with a five-star view to the opposite peaks. Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion After this, our days settled into a familiar pattern. We'd set off after breakfast to buy picnic supplies. We'd hike up through butterfly-wafted green. We'd cross a pass, go by a lake or reach a panoramic ridge. Then we'd descend through forest or towards an icy river. By evening we'd be ensconced in a pretty village, drinking reasonably priced wine, with a multicourse meal or an indulgent fondue. The air was always fresh, the trails always joyful, the crowds largely thin. 'It's busy here mid-July to mid-September,' said Christophe Delhaise Ramond, the owner of a gîte in Abriès where we stayed one night, as he poured us mélèze (larch) liqueurs while we pored over maps. Then he reconsidered: 'But there are only around 2,000 tourist beds in the park, so it's never that bad.' It's thanks to Christophe that we made a slight detour the following day. As planned, we climbed up to 2,583-metre Lac Grand Laus, a lake so brilliantly blue-green it seemed a bit of the Mediterranean had got lost in the mountains. It was spectacular, but as crowded as we'd seen anywhere in Queyras. So, on Christophe's suggestion, we continued to climb, steeply, up to the Col du Petit Malrif, where tenacious flowers popped through the rocks and the views were immense, reaching to snow-licked peaks. From here, we looped back, via two smaller, but no less Mediterranean, tarns, where there were no other people. At the second we flopped down in the cotton grass and chewed baguettes stuffed with bleu de queyras. We stayed there long after the baguettes were gone, listening to the water burbling in the wind. Finally, we headed on, descending via a rocky cleft. Soon we emerged on a track so swirled by puffs of silken thistledown it was as if we were hiking in Fairyland. But no, we were still just hiking in the French Alps – albeit a particularly magical bit. The trip was provided by Macs Adventure and Byway,; the seven-night self-guided Hiking in the French Alps trip costs from £1,150pp half-board. Transport was provided by Byway, which can book return trains from London to Montdauphin-Guillestre, plus a night in Paris in each direction, from £734pp
Hamilton Spectator
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
De Goede to lead 32-player rugby tour party as Canada takes on Springbok women
Recovered from knee surgery, Canada captain Sophie de Goede leads a 32-player tour squad to South Africa for a two-game series with the Springboks women next month. The second-ranked Canadian women, who were scheduled to leave Friday, take on No. 12 South Africa on July 5 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria and July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. 'The players and staff are all excited to get down to South Africa to continue our preparations for the Rugby World Cup,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'Three weeks of training together and another two test matches will go a long way to ensure our squad is ready.' After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked United States on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. Goede has not played since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament on June 21, 2024, in a non-contact scrimmage against the United States on the last day of a Canada sevens camp in Chula Vista, Calif. The tour roster includes three uncapped players in Taylor McKnight, Holly Phillips and Carissa Norsten, who has represented Canada in sevens play. McKnight, a hooker from Stouffville, Ont., played for the University of Guelph last season. Phillips, a prop from Canmore, Alta., played in England for the Bristol Bears. Norsten was named the HSBC SVNS Series rookie of the year in 2024. Canada is 12-5-1 since the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to New Zealand. That record has earned Rouet a contract extension through 2027. 'I am very excited for the opportunity to continue coaching this group of amazing players,' said Rouet. 'This gives the team and myself confidence going into the World Cup.' After three years as an assistant coach, the French-born Rouet took charge of the team in March 2022. He has led the Canadian women to a 21-8-1 record and the 2024 Pacific Four Series title, with a first-ever win over defending world champion New Zealand. 'Kevin has done outstanding work with our women's program, and we would like to recognize his great commitment to developing a world-class team and the culture he has built within his squad,' Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys said in a statement. 'We are pleased to be able to secure one of the world's top international coaches in Kevin for another two years and continue to work with him as he leads our women's program onto new heights.' Rouet was given a contract extension in April 2023 that ran through the 2025 World Cup. Canada Tour Squad Forwards Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Holly Phillips, Canmore, Alta., Bristol Bears (England); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Olivia DeMerchant, Mapledale, N.B., Halifax Tars RFC; Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Rachel Smith, South Surrey, B.C., UBC; Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Sophie de Goede, Victoria, Saracens (England); Taylor McKnight, Stouffville, Ont., Aurora Barbarians; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Backs Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Saracens (England); Carissa Norsten, Waldheim, Sask., University of Victoria; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Madison Grant, Cornwall, Ont., Cornwall Claymores; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England). —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025 Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
De Goede to lead 32-player rugby tour party as Canada takes on Springbok women
Recovered from knee surgery, Canada captain Sophie de Goede leads a 32-player tour squad to South Africa for a two-game series with the Springboks women next month. The second-ranked Canadian women, who were scheduled to leave Friday, take on No. 12 South Africa on July 5 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria and July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. 'The players and staff are all excited to get down to South Africa to continue our preparations for the Rugby World Cup,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'Three weeks of training together and another two test matches will go a long way to ensure our squad is ready.' After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked United States on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. Goede has not played since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament on June 21, 2024, in a non-contact scrimmage against the United States on the last day of a Canada sevens camp in Chula Vista, Calif. The tour roster includes three uncapped players in Taylor McKnight, Holly Phillips and Carissa Norsten, who has represented Canada in sevens play. McKnight, a hooker from Stouffville, Ont., played for the University of Guelph last season. Phillips, a prop from Canmore, Alta., played in England for the Bristol Bears. Norsten was named the HSBC SVNS Series rookie of the year in 2024. Canada is 12-5-1 since the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to New Zealand. That record has earned Rouet a contract extension through 2027. 'I am very excited for the opportunity to continue coaching this group of amazing players,' said Rouet. 'This gives the team and myself confidence going into the World Cup.' After three years as an assistant coach, the French-born Rouet took charge of the team in March 2022. He has led the Canadian women to a 21-8-1 record and the 2024 Pacific Four Series title, with a first-ever win over defending world champion New Zealand. 'Kevin has done outstanding work with our women's program, and we would like to recognize his great commitment to developing a world-class team and the culture he has built within his squad,' Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys said in a statement. 'We are pleased to be able to secure one of the world's top international coaches in Kevin for another two years and continue to work with him as he leads our women's program onto new heights.' Rouet was given a contract extension in April 2023 that ran through the 2025 World Cup. Canada Tour Squad Forwards Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Holly Phillips, Canmore, Alta., Bristol Bears (England); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Olivia DeMerchant, Mapledale, N.B., Halifax Tars RFC; Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Rachel Smith, South Surrey, B.C., UBC; Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Sophie de Goede, Victoria, Saracens (England); Taylor McKnight, Stouffville, Ont., Aurora Barbarians; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Backs Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Saracens (England); Carissa Norsten, Waldheim, Sask., University of Victoria; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Madison Grant, Cornwall, Ont., Cornwall Claymores; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England). — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025
Hamilton Spectator
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Pacific Four Series title up for grabs as Canada women wrap up tournament play
Canada takes on Australia in its Pacific Four Series rugby finale Friday at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, knowing a bonus-point win may not be enough to retain its title. The second-ranked Canadian women (1-0-1) and No. 3 New Zealand (1-0-1) are tied atop the standings with eight points after their 27-27 draw last Saturday in Christchurch. No. 6 Australia (1-1-0, five points) is mathematically still in the title hunt. New Zealand, which hosts the ninth-ranked United States (0-2-0) on Saturday in North Harbour, goes into weekend play with a tiebreaker edge over Canada — holding a plus-26 points differential compared to plus-12 for Canada. The Canadians will look to maximize their points return Friday by beating Australia and scoring four tries for a bonus point. They will then have to wait and see what happens in New Zealand. Should both Canada and New Zealand record bonus-point victories, the Canadians would need to win by at least 15 more points than the Back Ferns beat the U.S. by to retain their title. 'This final match versus Australia is once again just another opportunity to test ourselves against a top team in the world,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'There was some disappointment amongst the team after the draw against New Zealand last week but we know if we fix some of the details in our game that we can come back with a strong performance against Australia. It is a short week to prepare but I am confident in our group.' Rouet makes changes in the forwards with front-rowers McKinley Hunt and Gillian Boag slotting in and veteran Tyson Beukeboom in the second row in place of Laetitia Royer, who shifts to blindside flanker with Fabiola Forteza moving to No. 8 in place of Gabrielle Senft. Olivia Apps starts at scrum half and Krissy Scurfield comes in for Asia Hogan-Rochester on the wing. Both Senft and Hogan-Rochester were injured against New Zealand. Captain Alex Tessier had to leave when she failed a head injury assessment during the game but the influential centre has been cleared to play Friday. Canada opened tournament play with a 26-14 win over the U.S. on May 2 in Kansas City. Australia lost its opener 38-12 to New Zealand in Newcastle, Australia, before bouncing back to beat the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra. Australia coach Jo Yapp has made five changes to the Wallaroos starting lineup with sevens star Charlotte Caslick slotting into inside centre. There is a new front row and six of the eight replacements are forwards. 'Canada is a strong side that will provide a physical challenge for us on Friday,' said Yapp. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. The Canadian women had lost all 17 meetings with the Black Ferns before that, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more. New Zealand had outscored Canada 718-176 before last Saturday's game. The Pacific Four Series marks the Canadian women's first time together this year ahead of the World Cup, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 27 in England. Canada has been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada also won the inaugural Pacific Four Series in 2021, when the event consisted of a two-game series with the U.S. due to COVID travel restrictions. The Canadians finished runner-up to New Zealand in 2022 and 2023 when the competition was expanded to four teams. Canada has an 11-5-1 record since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the World Cup in November 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand. In other tournament news, U.S. sevens star Alev Kelter has been banned for three matches after being sent off in the loss to Australia for violent conduct — stamping on the head of the Australian player on the ground. 'There was contact with the head by the player's boot,' an independent disciplinary committee ruled. 'The player repeatedly stamped her foot and deliberately so but the Committee accepted the player's evidence that she did not intend to contact the head. 'On careful review of the footage, and considering the player's evidence and submission, the Committee found that the player was not deliberately targeting the head of the Australian player, but rather was reckless in her actions (as she accepted).' —- Canada McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Alex Tessier (capt.), Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Replacements Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Julia Omokhuale, Calgary, Leicester Tigers (England); Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Justine Pelletier, Riviere-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Chiefs Manawa (New Zealand); Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Westshore RFC. Australia Martha Fua, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Siokapesi Palu (capt.), Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller, Charlotte Caslick, Georgina Friedrichs, Biola Dawa, Caitlyn Halse. Replacements Adiana Talakai, Bree-Anna Browne, Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, Ashley Fernandez, Emily Chancellor, Ruby Anderson, Tia Hinds, Trilleen Pomare. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pacific Four Series title up for grabs as Canada women wrap up tournament play
Canada takes on Australia in its Pacific Four Series rugby finale Friday at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, knowing a bonus-point win may not be enough to retain its title. The second-ranked Canadian women (1-0-1) and No. 3 New Zealand (1-0-1) are tied atop the standings with eight points after their 27-27 draw last Saturday in Christchurch. No. 6 Australia (1-1-0, five points) is mathematically still in the title hunt. New Zealand, which hosts the ninth-ranked United States (0-2-0) on Saturday in North Harbour, goes into weekend play with a tiebreaker edge over Canada — holding a plus-26 points differential compared to plus-12 for Canada. The Canadians will look to maximize their points return Friday by beating Australia and scoring four tries for a bonus point. They will then have to wait and see what happens in New Zealand. 'This final match versus Australia is once again just another opportunity to test ourselves against a top team in the world,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'There was some disappointment amongst the team after the draw against New Zealand last week but we know if we fix some of the details in our game that we can come back with a strong performance against Australia. It is a short week to prepare but I am confident in our group.' Rouet makes changes in the forwards with front-rowers McKinley Hunt and Gillian Boag slotting in and veteran Tyson Beukeboom in the second row in place of Laetitia Royer, who shifts to blindside flanker with Fabiola Forteza moving to No. 8 in place of Gabrielle Senft. Olivia Apps starts at scrum half and Krissy Scurfield comes in for Asia Hogan-Rochester on the wing. Both Senft and Hogan-Rochester were injured against New Zealand. Captain Alex Tessier had to leave when she failed a head injury assessment during the game but the influential centre has been cleared to play Friday. Canada opened tournament play with a 26-14 win over the U.S. on May 2 in Kansas City. Australia lost its opener 38-12 to New Zealand in Newcastle, Australia, before bouncing back to beat the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra. Australia coach Jo Yapp has made five changes to the Wallaroos starting lineup with sevens star Charlotte Caslick slotting into inside centre. There is a new front row and six of the eight replacements are forwards. 'Canada is a strong side that will provide a physical challenge for us on Friday,' said Yapp. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. The Canadian women had lost all 17 meetings with the Black Ferns before that, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more. New Zealand had outscored Canada 718-176 before last Saturday's game. The Pacific Four Series marks the Canadian women's first time together this year ahead of the World Cup, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 27 in England. Canada has been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada also won the inaugural Pacific Four Series in 2021, when the event consisted of a two-game series with the U.S. due to COVID travel restrictions. The Canadians finished runner-up to New Zealand in 2022 and 2023 when the competition was expanded to four teams. Canada has an 11-5-1 record since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the World Cup in November 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand. In other tournament news, U.S. sevens star Alev Kelter has been banned for three matches after being sent off in the loss to Australia for violent conduct — stamping on the head of the Australian player on the ground. 'There was contact with the head by the player's boot,' an independent disciplinary committee ruled. 'The player repeatedly stamped her foot and deliberately so but the Committee accepted the player's evidence that she did not intend to contact the head. 'On careful review of the footage, and considering the player's evidence and submission, the Committee found that the player was not deliberately targeting the head of the Australian player, but rather was reckless in her actions (as she accepted).' — Canada McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Alex Tessier (capt.), Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Replacements Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Julia Omokhuale, Calgary, Leicester Tigers (England); Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Justine Pelletier, Riviere-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Chiefs Manawa (New Zealand); Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Westshore RFC. Australia Martha Fua, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Siokapesi Palu (capt.), Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller, Charlotte Caslick, Georgina Friedrichs, Biola Dawa, Caitlyn Halse. Replacements Adiana Talakai, Bree-Anna Browne, Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, Ashley Fernandez, Emily Chancellor, Ruby Anderson, Tia Hinds, Trilleen Pomare. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025.
