PARIS - The Canadian womens rugby team will make two changes to its starting lineup for Sundays championship game against England at the Womens Rugby World Cup. Lee Smith Jersey . Elissa Alarie of Trois-Rivieres, Que., will move to scrum half for the injured Stephanie Bernier of Quebec City, and Jessica Dovanne of Victoria replaces Brittany Waters of Vancouver on the left wing, Rugby Canada said Saturday in a release. Bernier suffered a knee injury in Canadas 18-16 semifinal win over host France on Wednesday. Canada will be making its first appearance in a Womens Rugby World Cup final at Stade Jean-Bouin. Canada has finished fourth on three occasions and settled for a sixth-place showing in 2010. England was a finalist four years ago and has lost to New Zealand in the last three finals. Canada opened its World Cup campaign with victories over Spain and Samoa, before playing England to a draw to end the pool stage. England defeated Ireland 40-7 to reach the final. “We know that England is a very strong team and they showed that in the semifinals against Ireland on Wednesday,” said Canadian head coach Francois Ratier. “Sunday is an incredible opportunity for us to show how far Canadian womens rugby has come and that we belong in the finals of the World Cup. "Our athletes have spent years preparing for this moment and were all looking forward to the challenge.” Canada and England have played four times in the last 12 months. Canada won twice at last summers Nations Cup tournament in Denver but England followed that up with a decisive victory last fall in the final game of Canadas November Tour. The teams played to a 13-13 draw last Saturday in Marcoussis, France. Canadian captain Kelly Russell of Bolton, Ont., and teammate Magali Harvey of Quebec City are on the shortlist for the International Rugby Boards womens player of the year honour. The winner will be announced after the final. New Zealand and the United States will meet in the fifth-place game early Sunday. Ireland and France will play in the third-place game before the championship. Mark Grace Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. Rick Sutcliffe Jersey . The turf is scheduled to give way to actual grass that is bright green, so we dont have to complain any more—we just have to wait a few years. Instead, do feel free to complain if the roof is closed for any reason other than to allow a game to be played.Team news ahead of Saturdays Sky Bet League 1 clash between Oldham and Crew. Oldham will hope James Wilson can make his comeback against Crewe at SportsDirect.com Park.The defender traveled with the team to Southend in midweek, but had not recovered sufficiently from an ankle problem to make the bench and Latics named just six substitutes as they went beyond the 50-point mark to virtually seal their safety. Teenager George Edmundson could retain his spot after making his full league debut and playing the whole 90 minutes in the 1-0 victory on Tuesday.The 118-year-old will likely be needed in some capacity if Mikes Jones (ribs) and Carl Winchester (knee) miss out once more. Tony Kemp Jersey. Already-relegated Crewe could have top-scorer Brad Inman back in action.The midfielder has missed the last four games due to an ankle injury but has returned to training.Defender Harry Davis and striker Lauri Dalla Valle have both suffered with illness of late and while the former is expected to be fine for the Oldham game, there is more of a doubt over the latter.Midfielder Billy Bingham has had a knee problem but should be okay to be involved. ' ' '
PARIS - The Canadian womens rugby team will make two changes to its starting lineup for Sundays championship game against England at the Womens Rugby World Cup. Lee Smith Jersey . Elissa Alarie of Trois-Rivieres, Que., will move to scrum half for the injured Stephanie Bernier of Quebec City, and Jessica Dovanne of Victoria replaces Brittany Waters of Vancouver on the left wing, Rugby Canada said Saturday in a release. Bernier suffered a knee injury in Canadas 18-16 semifinal win over host France on Wednesday. Canada will be making its first appearance in a Womens Rugby World Cup final at Stade Jean-Bouin. Canada has finished fourth on three occasions and settled for a sixth-place showing in 2010. England was a finalist four years ago and has lost to New Zealand in the last three finals. Canada opened its World Cup campaign with victories over Spain and Samoa, before playing England to a draw to end the pool stage. England defeated Ireland 40-7 to reach the final. “We know that England is a very strong team and they showed that in the semifinals against Ireland on Wednesday,” said Canadian head coach Francois Ratier. “Sunday is an incredible opportunity for us to show how far Canadian womens rugby has come and that we belong in the finals of the World Cup. "Our athletes have spent years preparing for this moment and were all looking forward to the challenge.” Canada and England have played four times in the last 12 months. Canada won twice at last summers Nations Cup tournament in Denver but England followed that up with a decisive victory last fall in the final game of Canadas November Tour. The teams played to a 13-13 draw last Saturday in Marcoussis, France. Canadian captain Kelly Russell of Bolton, Ont., and teammate Magali Harvey of Quebec City are on the shortlist for the International Rugby Boards womens player of the year honour. The winner will be announced after the final. New Zealand and the United States will meet in the fifth-place game early Sunday. Ireland and France will play in the third-place game before the championship. Mark Grace Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. Rick Sutcliffe Jersey . The turf is scheduled to give way to actual grass that is bright green, so we dont have to complain any more—we just have to wait a few years. Instead, do feel free to complain if the roof is closed for any reason other than to allow a game to be played.Team news ahead of Saturdays Sky Bet League 1 clash between Oldham and Crew. Oldham will hope James Wilson can make his comeback against Crewe at SportsDirect.com Park.The defender traveled with the team to Southend in midweek, but had not recovered sufficiently from an ankle problem to make the bench and Latics named just six substitutes as they went beyond the 50-point mark to virtually seal their safety. Teenager George Edmundson could retain his spot after making his full league debut and playing the whole 90 minutes in the 1-0 victory on Tuesday.The 118-year-old will likely be needed in some capacity if Mikes Jones (ribs) and Carl Winchester (knee) miss out once more. Tony Kemp Jersey. Already-relegated Crewe could have top-scorer Brad Inman back in action.The midfielder has missed the last four games due to an ankle injury but has returned to training.Defender Harry Davis and striker Lauri Dalla Valle have both suffered with illness of late and while the former is expected to be fine for the Oldham game, there is more of a doubt over the latter.Midfielder Billy Bingham has had a knee problem but should be okay to be involved. ' ' '
