A total of 11 tries – six of them scored by the on-fire Julia Schell – represented an almost perfect opening weekend for Canada. Top of Pool B already, a second RWC 2025 win on Saturday for the world No.2 ranked side would send them through to the quarter-finals, with a match to spare. A luxury that has seen head coach Kevin Rouet make six changes to his starting XV.
Wales head honcho Sean Lynn has also rung the changes – seven of them in total – but last Saturday’s chastening 38-8 defeat to Scotland means the fresh-faced Welsh XV have it all to do. It is simply win or bust for Lynn’s line-up, for whom July’s RWC warm-up win against Australia is their only victory in their past eight matches.
Kick-off: 12:00 BST, Saturday, 30 August
Venue: Salford Community Stadium, Manchester
If you have a ticket already, check out former England star Harriet Millar-Mills’ Guide to Manchester for all the top tips to making the most out of your trip.
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Canada team
Canada’s key player: There is no doubt Alex Tessier is one the great players at RWC 2025 and all those at the Salford Community Stadium are in for a treat. Combining pace, power and adroitness, Wales will have to shut Canada’s star-turn down in they are to have a hope. Easier said than done against a player who also knocked over a conversion v Fiji last weekend.
Wales team
Wales’ key player: With both co-captains from the opener v Scotland, Alex Callender and Kate Williams, ruled out through injury this is a huge game for openside flanker Bethan Lewis. A member of dominant English club side, Gloucester-Hartpury, the new skipper will be looking for her all-action, winning style to rub off on a highly motivated, if young match-day squad.
Recent head-to-heads:
21.10.2023 CAN 42-22 WAL
27.08.2022 CAN 31-3 WAL
21.11.2021CAN 24-7 WAL
What they said:
Canada head coach, Kevin Rouet:
“We have to expect a lot of fight, Wales is never an easy game for us, it’s always an 80-minute grind so we are prepared for threat. They have said it is like a final for them so you never know what you could expect from that. We just have to be confident with who we are and our preparation, go with the game plan.
“We expect a lot from them and they need to expect a lot from us.”
Canada inside-centre and captain, Alex Tessier:
“It was a good week of prep again for us. We broke the ice last week, for some of us it was the first World Cup game ever and for some it was our fourth World Cup ,so it’s different but the same. It was a calm, collected and decent prep and we knew what to expect.
“We looked at their last match, which was against Scotland, so we’re definitely looking at the opportunities that might be there for us, where Scotland capitalised on them last weekend.”
Wales head coach, Sean Lynn:
“We had these honest conversations and the girls have reacted positively this week. We all know that performance just wasn’t good enough on Saturday and it’s about putting that to bed and making sure we’ve had a real good training. It’s been a really good, positive session and good energy. It’s just making sure on Saturday we’re putting pride back in that jersey.
“If I’m asking the players to be brave, then I’d be brave with it as well. Those individuals (Tilly Vucaj, 19; Branwen Metcalfe, 18; Seren Lockwood, 18 – all named on he bench) even though they are 18 (sic), have been training and performing very well.”
Wales new captain, Bethan Lewis:
“We’ve got a young group of leaders. People are learning, there’s a bit of change and naturally, people are putting themselves out there. So, no, I don’t think there’s a lack of leadership. I have every trust in the girls, [Alex Callender] and Kate [Williams], and then the leaders this weekend who step up when they need (to).
“My plan is not to change anything, just be myself.”