Canada’s women begin their two-match tour of Europe on Sunday 19 July, when the Ravens take on Wales at The Gnoll in Neath for world ranking points, (kick off 3pm, local time), after which they head to Scotland.
It will be a first test of Matty Barron’s side since Canada beat Ireland to third place in the IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series in Ontario last Autumn, with Cassie Mann, Dani Cox, Erika Scott, Hanna Tonet, Payton McNeill, Tatiana Joseph and Larae Benoit all potential debutants.
York Valkyrie pair Megan Pakulis and Petra Woods are also included in their squad. “We’re excited for the opportunity to test ourselves against Wales and measuring ourselves against quality opposition,” said Barron. “We’ve brought together a strong mix of experienced veterans and talented debutants, creating a squad that combines composure, skill and plenty of attacking threat.
“The competition for positions has been outstanding, adding depth across the team and pushing everyone to elevate their game. The new players haven’t just joined the squad—they’ve challenged for jerseys and raised the standard. We’re looking forward to seeing how much we’ve grown since the World Series.”
For Wales it will be a first chance for head coach Tom Brindle to see how his charges are progressing as they build towards the IRL 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup which takes place in Australia in October. It is a first run out for the national team since losing 62-0 to England in Neath last August.
London Broncos’ Jade Mullen, along with Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton and Sioned Young of Cardiff Demons, are all in line to earn their first Wales rugby league caps after being named in Brindle’s 19-player squad.
There is also a return for Ffion Lewis, who is back in the Wales rugby league squad for the first time in five years. Since her last appearance, she has enjoyed a successful spell in rugby union, winning 33 caps for her country.
She previously earned two rugby league caps and captained the national side during her first stint in the sport. Emily Hughes and Katie Carr also return to the squad after missing last year’s international programme through injury.
“We’re really looking forward to getting back together and beginning our World Cup preparations,” Brindle noted. “Canada will provide us with a tough test, but that’s exactly what we need at this stage. The focus is on continuing to develop as a team, putting our systems into practice, and building confidence ahead of travelling to Australia later this year.”
The game will be played to NRLW rules, including being of 70 minutes duration, as part of Wales’s preparation for the World Cup which will be played under them.
Welsh referee James Jones will take charge of the fixture.
Tickets are available at: https://events.liveit.io/wales-rugby-league/wales-vs-canada-womens-international/
Live Streaming will be on: https://lounges.tv/lounge/EuTxwuLdGi
Wales (squad): Leanne BURNELL, Katie CARR, Jasmine GIBBONS, Zoe HEELEY, Sara JONES, Frances LAYTON, Amberley RUCK, Olivia WILLIAMS, Sioned Catrin YOUNG (Cardiff Demons), Georgia TAYLOR, Gracie HOBBS (Huddersfield Giants), Emily HUGHES, Ffion LEWIS, Jade Mullen, Kathryn SALTER (London Broncos), Danielle MCGIFFORD (St Helens), Bethan DAINTON, Carys MARSH (Wigan Warriors), Agnes WOOD (York Valkyrie)
Canada (squad): Cassie MANN, Danielle COX, Danielle FRANADA, Alanna FITTES, Brittany JONES, Rebecca Kochuk LOWRY, Sarah MAGUIRE, Savannah BACCHUS, Larae Benoit, Maddy ABERG (Alberta Broncos), Gabrielle HINDLEY, Payton MCNEILL (BC Storm), Erika SCOTT, Tatiana JOSEPH, Natasha NAISMITH, Hannah TONET, Tamisha TOUSSAINT (Ontario Osprey), Megan PAKULIS, Petra WOODS (York Valkyrie)