Wales make sweeping changes for must-win Canada game

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025: Wales vs. Canada

Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday, August 30 Kick-off: 12:00 BST

For Wales’ must-win Rugby World Cup game against Canada on Saturday, head coach Sean Lynn made seven changes to the starting XV, including a forced captaincy change.

After being severely beaten by Scotland last weekend, which severely hampered their quarter-final chances, Wales are desperate for retribution.

With both co-captains Kate Williams and Alex Callender both having injury issues, Bethan Lewis will take the starting lineup.

Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, and Sisilia Tuipulotu join the all-new front row, and Abbie Fleming locks up.

Some girls are taking chances, according to Lynn, “I’ve said to the girls that if you are not performing, you are out.”

“We all know that Saturday’s performance wasn’t good enough, so it’s time to put that all to rest and ensure a great training week.”

It’s been a really positive session with good energy since we just returned from the training paddock. Now that Saturday, it’s making sure that we’re putting some pride back in that jersey.

With the addition of Tilly Vucaj, Seren Lockwood, and uncapped Branwen Metcalfe, Wales’ bench has also received a complete overhaul.

Kelsey Jones and Jenni Scoble will make her 50th appearance as Gwenllian Pyrs’s last.

After netting six trys against Fiji last weekend, which came from full-back Julia Schell, Canada, who is currently second in the world, is currently in the top Pool B.

With a victory over Wales in Salford, they can advance to the knockout stages, while Scotland can follow them by defeating Fiji on Saturday.

Additionally, there have been five starting adjustments for Canada head coach Kevin Rouet.

Tyson Beukeboom will receive her 80th cap while Karen Paquin will make her fourth World Cup appearance in the back row, and McKinley Hunt and Emily Tuttosi will take the front row.

Asia Hogan-Rochester will make her World Cup debut on the wing, her first for Canada since breaking down earlier this year against Australia.

Wales will be hoping that their opening game defeat to Canada will turn things around or that Fiji can surprise them, who completely outplayed Lynn’s side in the opener.

We have had honest discussions about the performance we need in front of one of the world’s best teams, according to Lynn.

Because players had the opportunity to compete in a World Cup during training, there have been changes, and they have been made.

When they leave the field on Saturday, all 23 players have been instructed to be brave and without any regrets.

“We must shift our mindset to Wales as a team,” said Canada’s Rouet after a fantastic performance against Fiji last week.

Gillian Boag, Brittany Kassil, Olivia DeMerchant, Courtney O’Donnell, Fabiola Forteza, Olivia Apps, Claire Gallagher, and Shoshanah Seumanutafa are the replacements.

Wales: Nel Metcalfe, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann, Lleucu George, Keira Bevan, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, Gwen Crabb, Bryonie King, Bethan Lewis, Georgia Evans,

Replacements: Kerin Lake, Gwenllian Pyrs, Jenni Scoble, Tilly Vucaj, Branwen Metcalfe, Seren Lockwood, Kayleigh Powell, and Kelsey Jones.