By Canadian Press

Veteran forward Karen Paquin returns for Canada’s Pacific Four Series title defence

Apr 30, 2025 | 11:14 AM

Veteran forward Karen Paquin makes her first Canadian start since the 2021 Rugby World Cup when Canada opens defence of its Pacific Four Series title on Friday against the U.S. in Kansas City.

Canada, ranked second in the world, faces the ninth-ranked U.S. at CPKC Stadium before flying to the Southern Hemisphere to play No. 3 New Zealand on May 16 at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch and No. 6 Australia on May 23 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Paquin took some time away from the sport but is back as the Canadian women start their season, with the World Cup set to kick off Aug. 22 in England.

A former chemical engineer, she left her job in 2012 to try out for the national sevens team. Now 37, the flanker from Quebec City has an impressive rugby resume that already includes three World Cups, two Olympics and one Rugby World Cup Sevens.

Canada has won the last nine meetings with the U.S., including a 50-7 victory at last year’s Pacific Four Series.

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“The game against U.S.A. to begin PAC4 is an opportunity for us to continue to build consistency, confidence and depth as we start our journey towards the World Cup later this year,” Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement.

The matchday 23 features 14 players who play their club rugby in England, four in France and one in New Zealand.

Lock Rachel Smith, a three-time Canada West all-star and 2024 U-Sports Rugby 15s Player of the Year with UBC, is set to earn her first cap for Canada. Prop Rori Wood, who earned her first cap for Canada against Ireland last fall, makes her first Canada start.

Prop Mikiela Nelson, among the replacements, could earn her first cap since the last World Cup.

The Canadian women held a pre-tournament camp in Chula Vista, Calif., with the women’s sevens squad joining for a week of combined training ahead of this weekend’s HSBC SVNS season finale in May 3-4 in Carson, Calif.

Rouet will bolster his squad with Alysha Corrigan, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds, Mahalia Robinson and Olivia Apps from the sevens team for the New Zealand and Australia tests.

Canada won last year’s Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the defending World Cup champion Black Ferns 22-19 last May in Christchurch. The Canadian women had lost all 17 previous meetings with New Zealand, with 10 of those defeats by 27 points or more.

Canada went 5-1-0 in 2024, losing 21-12 last time out to No. 1 England in October at the WXV 1 tournament in Vancouver.

In July, the Canadian women head to South Africa for games against the 12th-ranked Springbok women July 5 in Pretoria and July 12 in Gqeberha. Canada will play No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Belfast in its final World Cup tune-up.

The Canadian women have been drawn in a pool with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji at the World Cup.

The two major injury absences for the Pacific Four Series are captain Sophie de Goede (knee) and Pam Buisa (wrist). The hope is that both will be back for the South Africa tour.

Canada Lineup

Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Guelph Goats; Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Rachel Smith, South Surrey, B.C., UBC; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England); Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Chiefs Manawa (New Zealand); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England).

Replacements

Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, B.C., Exeter Chiefs (England); DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Courtney O’Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Julia Omokhuale, Calgary, Alta., Leicester Tigers (England); Sarah-Maude Lachance, Victoriaville, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2025

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press