Four Chiefs players named in World Cup squads

Canada and Italy have announced their squads for the opening round of the Women’s Rugby World Cup – with four Exeter Chiefs Women set to feature.

Fly-half Alex Tessier will captain Canada from inside centre when they face Fiji this Saturday, while prop DaLeaka Menin and hooker Emily Tuttosi are named among the replacements. Canada play at the Community Stadium in York (KO 17:30), with the match shown live on BBC iPlayer.

Tessier said: “We’re very eager to get started. Everybody’s excited and we’ve got a real one-team mindset. Fiji are very unpredictable and physical, so it will be about who can manage the game best and control the ball.”

Menin added: “The girls are excited. For some this is their fourth World Cup, for others their first. We’re just keen to get into the vibe of it and go into the game confident.”

Meanwhile, Chiefs summer signing Francesca Granzotto has been named on the bench for Italy against France in what will be her first match at Sandy Park.

Granzotto said: “I’m really excited – it’s the first game of the World Cup, which is massive. I was at the last World Cup but didn’t play, so this feels like my debut. The thing that makes me most excited is that I’m going to play in my future home.”

Sandy Park hosts the opening Exeter fixture on Saturday, when France face Italy (KO 20:15). Tickets are still available.

Women’s Rugby World Cup fixtures at Sandy Park:

Saturday, 23 August – 20:15 – France v Italy
Sunday, 31 August – 14:00 – New Zealand v Japan / 16:45 – France v Brazil
Saturday, 6 September – 12:00 – Canada v Scotland / 14:45 – Wales v Fiji
Saturday, 13 September – 13:00 – Quarter-final: Winner pool C v Runner-up pool D
Sunday, 14 September – 13:00 – Quarter-final: Winner pool D v Runner-up pool C

Tickets available from www.rugbyworldcup.com