"Dark Horses" - 5 Stars to Watch: Canada squad for 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup

Canada have played at every iteration of the Women's Rugby World Cup, and actually hold the accolade of being apart of the first ever match in the tournament's history, as they opened the festivities against New Zealand back in 1991. However, Canada have long fallen at the final hurdle throughout their World Cup campaigns, with their best run seeing them lose out to England in the 2014 Final, and take home silver medals after an Emily Scarratt masterclass in France.

Proud to back their ethos of 'One Team' across both the 15s and Sevens variations of the game, multiple stars of the Canada side are well-versed in the lung-busting seven-a-side sport. Canada boast a stacked roster of Premiership Women's Rugby house-hold names, with the Maple Leaves out to go one better than ever before as the competition gains traction across England. So, ahead of Canada's second pool match this Saturday, which sees them take on Wales at the Salford Community Stadium, here's five stars to watch from the star-studded Canadian squad.

Canada have been forced into a late squad change ahead of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup after Pamphinette Buisa suffered a left-arm injury in the final tune-up against Ireland. Stepping in is Julia Omokhuale, a versatile 24-year-old who covers both lock and flanker.

A recent arrival on the sevens circuit, she made her World Series debut in Hong Kong earlier this year and earned her first test cap against France in 2023. Having impressed for Leicester Tigers across the past two Women’s Premiership seasons, Omokhuale is set to join Saracens post-World Cup, bringing fresh energy to the squad.

Few players embody Canadian rugby quite like Sophie de Goede. The 26-year-old skipper has long been the heartbeat of her side, leading not only with words but with thunderous carries and fearless physicality. Her opening try against Fiji in this tournament was a statement, Canada’s talisman is here, and she’s hungry for the maiden world title.

Rugby is in de Goede's DNA. Both her parents, Hans and Stephanie, captained Canada, but Sophie has forged her own path to greatness. Once a fly-half, now a world-class No. 8 who can also slot in at flanker or lock, she brings a unique blend of power, skill, and vision. A true all-rounder, she dictates tempo with ball in hand while hitting like a freight train in defence.

However, de Goede's career has not been without setbacks. Missing the 2024 Olympics through a serious knee injury was a cruel blow for the superstar, the kind that could have derailed many a top talent. Instead, it only sharpened her determination. De Goede has returned fitter and hungrier, intent on making this World Cup her defining stage.

In England, she’s already a familiar name thanks to her exploits with Saracens, where she has torn through PWR packs and collected Player of the Match honours in high-pressure semi-finals. Back home, she was a standout at Queen’s University, winning U-Sports Player of the Year in rugby and even guiding the basketball team to a national bronze. That athletic versatility makes her one of the most complete players in the women’s game, as de Goede rules the skies at line-out time.

As captain, de Goede offers more than leadership by example, she’s the spark that ignites those around her. Canada’s fourth-place finish at the 2022 Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand proved they can push the best to their limits, but this time their leader wants medals, not memories. If Canada are to upset the heavyweights in England, expect de Goede to be at the very heart of the efforts.

When Canada need calm heads and sharp hands, Alexandra Tessier is the player they turn to. The versatile backline general has been a fixture in the Canadian setup for nearly a decade, and at 31 years old, she now arrives in England as one of the most experienced campaigners in the squad.

Tessier’s value lies in her adaptability. Whether she’s steering the attack from fly-half or crashing the gainline at inside centre, she brings composure, vision, and a boot you can trust under pressure. Against Fiji in Canada’s World Cup opener, it was Tessier who slotted a key conversion after skipper Sophie de Goede handed over the kicking tee, proof of her reliability upon the global stage.

Tessier's journey has been one of consistency and a steady rise. The versatile back cut her teeth at Canada U20 level, shone with the Maple Leafs, and even bagged gold at the 2014 FISU World Championships. By the time she broke into the senior squad for the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup, Tessier was already earmarked as a future leader. In 2022, she scored a crucial try in Canada’s win over the USA, before then featuring against England and France in the knockout stages.

Her form hit new heights in 2024. Tessier was ever-present in Canada’s six matches that year, playing a central role in their historic win over the Black Ferns. The performance earned her a nomination for World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, for true recognition of her class on the global stage. Off the pitch, Tessier’s cerebral side shines too, as a student of mathematics and statistics at Concordia University, she brings analytical precision to her rugby as well.

Julia Schell lit up Canada’s opening match of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup against Fiji with a performance that will be talked about for years. In a breathtaking display, the fullback ran in six tries, leaving defenders grasping at shadows and proving that when Schell is on the charge, the scoreboard is no friend to anyone opposing the reds. Afterwards, she quipped that a supporter had bet her $200 she wouldn’t score, clearly, Schell had other plans.

Schell’s rise has been marked by precision, pace, and an uncanny ability to find space. A University of Guelph alumna, she honed her craft with the Redcoats while studying sociology, developing the game intelligence on-field that pairs seamlessly with her raw athleticism. Capable of playing fly-half or fullback, her versatility is a weapon Canada relies upon and love to unleash.

Since making her international debut against the United States in 2021, Schell has been a constant spark for the Maple Leafs, featuring in the delayed 2022 Rugby World Cup and excelling in all three pool matches. Her 2023 Pacific Four Series appearances, along with a try in a recent 66–7 demolition of South Africa, helped build her resume a player who thrives under pressure.

Now, heading into the 2025 World Cup, Schell embodies Canada’s attacking verve, a fullback who can turn any moment into a highlight reel, combining blistering speed, clinical finishing, and a mischievous grin that suggests she enjoys proving doubters spectacularly wrong. Keep your eyes on her; when Schell is in the open, she’s impossible to stop.

Emily Tuttosi is a powerhouse in the front row and a constant threat around the try line. Born in Souris, Manitoba, Tuttosi’s rugby journey began in Canada’s youth systems, where she quickly made a name for herself with her dynamic running and precise set-piece work. By 2016, she was captaining the Canada U20 side, demonstrating leadership that would soon become her hallmark.

Tuttosi made her senior international debut against England in 2018, and it didn’t take long for her to establish herself as one of Canada’s most prolific scorers from the front row. At the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, she emerged as the team’s top try-scorer with six tries, including a hat-trick against Japan and a brace against Italy.

Tuttosi's club career in England has been equally impressive. After a season with Loughborough Lightning in 2018/19, Tuttosi joined Exeter Chiefs ahead of their Premier 15s debut, becoming a cornerstone of their forward pack. The hooker's work in the line-out, scrums, and breakdowns has been complemented by an eye for gaps in the defense, making her a dual threat as a hooker and ball-carrier.

Internationally, Tuttosi has been a central figure in Canada’s rise in the rankings, featuring in Pacific Four Series victories, including the memorable triumph over the Black Ferns in 2024. Her consistency and experience make her a key component of a squad that will be aiming for glory in England throughout the coming weeks.

Tyson Beukeboom is the embodiment of longevity and leadership in Canadian women’s rugby. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, the daughter of former NHL player Jeff Beukeboom, Tyson inherited a competitive spirit and athletic pedigree that would see her rise through the ranks and become Canada’s most capped player. Buekeboom made her senior debut at the 2013 Nations Cup and quickly became a fixture in the national team setup.

Beukeboom has represented Canada at three consecutive Rugby World Cups, beginning with the silver medal-winning squad of 2014 in France, before competing in Ireland 2017 and New Zealand 2022. Across these tournaments, the lock was a pillar in the second row, providing strength in the set-piece, relentless work in the rucks, and an occasional try-scoring threat, exemplifying the complete modern second row.

A standout moment came in 2023 when she scored a hat-trick against Australia in her 60th test, in what is a remarkable feat for a lock, further cementing her reputation as a forward with an eye for gaps and a nose for opportunity. By 2024, her 68th cap saw her surpass Gillian Florence to become the most capped Canadian women's player in Test history.

Off the field, Beukeboom’s professionalism and consistency set the tone for a squad blending youth and experience. She has been central to Canada’s recent successes, including Pacific Four Series campaigns, and has been a mentor to rising stars like Julia Omokhuale. At 34, Beukeboom remains a vital cog in the Canadian engine, a leader whose presence inspires confidence and whose performances on the field continue to demand attention. Expect her to anchor the lineouts, carry hard, and guide Canada through the tournament’s biggest challenges.