Two-time Olympic medallist and HSBC SVNS Series star Charity Williams will make her debut in a XVs jersey for Canada on Saturday versus Scotland at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh in the WXV Global Series clash (4.10pm, live on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer).
Williams will be on the wing while, following a strong couple of years with Canada in sevens herself, Savannah Bauder will be looking to make her international debut in the XVs game off the bench.
And, having experienced life in a variety of Canada’s age-grade programmes and currently playing the sport at the University of Ottawa, Sophie McDonald will look to earn her first cap as a replacement too.
“It’s always exciting to see players earn their first caps,” Canada head coach Kevin 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 her sevens and now XVs but has been excellent and Sophie performed well during the Quebec Ontario Rugby Championship.
“All will bring their own flair to the game on Saturday and will give us a chance to win.
“We had a good week of preparation in Ireland last week which has carried over as we get ready for Scotland on Saturday.
“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 so it should be a great game.”
The talismanic Sophie de Goede will be available off the bench this weekend for Canada after a prior commitment related to her masters degree caused her to miss a few days of training this week.
Centre Alexandra Tessier will assume the role of captain for the match in which the world number three side will start as favourites.
The teams last met last year at the Rugby World Cup in England, Canada eventually winning the pool game 40-19 in Exeter, but seventh in the world Scotland pushed them hard.
Scotland were knocked out of that competition at the last eight stage by England who won the event while Canada finished runners-up.
As mentioned, the home Vodafone Scotland WXV Series campaign – part of the wider WXV Global Series presented by Mitsubishi Electric featuring the top sides in the world – begins for Scotland against Canada on Saturday at the Hive before welcoming New Zealand to these shores the following weekend on September 19 and then hosting Australia on September 26.
Scotland’s away WXV Global Series fixtures will take place against Australia on October 17 and October 23.
Canada are pictured on the attack against Scotland at the Rugby World Cup last year – thanks to World Rugby
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