Thomas Godoj Thread » the end zone for his fourth and

TORONTO - Forward Kelly Russell will lead a balanced Canadian side at the IRB Womens Rugby World Cup in Paris this summer. The 27-year-old captain from Bolton, Ont., one of 26 women named to coach Francois Ratiers roster Monday, will be looking to erase the memories of a disappointing sixth-place finish at the 2010 tournament. The Canadian womens best result is fourth, achieved at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 tournaments. Other returning veterans of the 2010 tournament are Kim Donaldson, Mandy Marchak, Barbara Mervin, Julia Sugawara, Brittany Waters and Julianne Zussman. Five or six players were unavailable for selection due to injury or sevens commitments. "This is the 26 best players we had available," said Ratier, who took over the Canadian women in March 2013. "My goal at the beginning was to have a balanced squad between veterans and new players — experience and fresh minds," he added. "At the end, thats what I have." The youngsters include 19-year-old fly half Emily Belchos. New Zealand has won the last four womens World Cups, beating England in the final of the last three tournaments. Canada can take confidence from staying close to the Black Ferns in 33-21 and 16-8 losses on tour in June. "We were pretty pleased about the performance in New Zealand," said Ratier. "But we didnt show everything. So we keep some surprises, maybe. Well see. "We are not so far (behind). In a World Cup, in one game, you never know." Russell plays No. 8 at the back of the scrum, one of several positions that Ratier considers the spine of his team. The others are hooker (Donaldson and Mary-Jane Kirby), scrum half (Stephanie Bernier), fly half (Belchos is one of several contenders) and fullback (Elissa Alarie). "She (Russell), for me, is the centre of this spine — because of her experience, the way she leads and the good communication between her and I" said Ratier. Russells younger sister Laura is also on the World Cup roster. The 12-team tournament runs Aug. 1-17 in France. Canada has been placed in Pool A with Spain, Samoa and England. Canada opens against Spain, a team it beat at the 1991 and 2006 World Cups, on Aug 1 before facing Samoa on Aug. 5 and England on Aug. 9. Canada has never played Samoa. The Canadian women beat a young England squad 27-13 last summer but lost 30-3 when they met again last November. Only the three pool winners and the best-placed runner-up team advance to the semifinals. "Obviously in our pool, England is the favourite," said Ratier. "Its a fact. So it forces us to win and score a lot of points against Spain and Samoa." Ratier, a native of France who came to Canada 11 years ago and now makes his home in Montreal, has also coached the Rugby Club de Montreal (2003-2008), Concordia University (2007-2008) and the Quebec provincial team. He was also technical director of the Quebec Union and assistant coach with The Rock and Canada ‘A in 2009. In addition, he has worked with the Canada U-17 mens side. The Canadian women will gather for a one-week training camp in France prior to the tournament. Canadas Womens Rugby World Cup Roster: (with club and home town) Elissa Alarie, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club, Trois-Rivieres, Que.; Emily Belchos, Barrie, Ont., Markham Irish RFC; Brittany Benn, Guelph Redcoats, Napanee, Ont.; Stephanie Bernier, Club de Rugby Quebec, Quebec City; Tyson Beukeboom, Aurora Barbarians, Uxbridge, Ont.; Latoya Blackwood, St. Anne de Bellevue, Montreal; Andrea Burk, Capilano RFC, North Vancouver; Olivia DeMerchant, Woodstock Wildmen, Mapledale, N.B.; Kim Donaldson, Burnaby Lake Rugby Club, Toronto; Jessica Dovanne, Velox RFC, Victoria; Magali Harvey, Club de Rugby Quebec, Quebec City; Mary-Jane Kirby, Highland RFC, Brampton, Ont.; Hilary Leith, Capilano RFC, Vancouver; Kayla Mack, Wild Oats RFC, Saskatoon; Mandy Marchak, Capilano RFC, Winnipeg; Barbara Mervin, Velox RFC, Peterborough, Ont.; Jacey Murphy, Aurora Barbarians, Alliston, Ont.; Karen Paquin, Club de Rugby Quebec, Quebec City; Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, Club de Rugby Quebec, Quebec City; Kelly Russell (capt.), Toronto Nomads, Bolton, Ont.; Laura Russell, Toronto Nomads, Bolton, Ont.; Maria Samson, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Julia Sugawara, Burnaby Lake RFC, Surrey, B.C.; Amanda Thornborough, Brandon Barbarians RFC, Brandon, Man.; Brittany Waters, Meraloma Athletic Club, Vancouver; Julianne Zussman, Town of Mount Royal RFC, Montreal. Head Coach: Francois Ratier Forwards Coach: Gary Dukelow Backs Coach: Colette McAuley Technical Adviser: John Tait Strength and Conditioning: Steve Mackinnon Comprar Asics Baratas .com) - A chant of Zeke reverberated around AT&T Stadium before Ezekiel Elliott powered into the end zone for his fourth and final touchdown. Zapatillas Asics España .com) - Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending May 11. http://www.baratasasics.es/. Levante, which had lost five straight including a Copa del Rey game last weekend, fell behind at its Ciutat de Valencia stadium when Ionut Sapanura opened the scoring for Elche in the 26th minute. Asics Baratas Chinas Online . The Heat centre scored 10 of his 30 points early in the first quarter to silence the Toronto fans as Miami defeated the Raptors 113-101 on Friday night. Zapatillas Asics Baratas España . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side.ST. LOUIS -- Arizona shortstop Chris Owings threw wildly to the plate on a bases-loaded grounder in the 12th inning, allowing Matt Holliday to score the winning run in the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. The Cardinals cut down the go-ahead run at the plate in the 10th on Daniel Descalsos perfect relay throw from down the left field line to nail Ender Inciarte trying to score from first on Paul Goldschmidts two-out double. Holliday walked off Trevor Cahill (1-6) to start the 12th. Matt Adams doubled and Yadier Molina was walked intentionally. Allen Craig hit a grounder and Owings had plenty of time for a force play of the plate but his throw eluded catcher Miguel Montero. Seth Maness (2-2) allowed a hit in the 12th for the Cardinals, who persevered long after Michael Wacha was chased early by a foul ball lined off his pitching elbow while sitting in the dugout. Jason Motte worked 1 2-3 scoreless innings in his first appearance since the 2012 post-season. He got help from Holliday, Descalso and Molina on that nifty relay. The Cardinals left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th against rookie Evan Marshall, but couldnt push across the winning run. Wacha allowed two hits in six scoreless innings and made two outstanding defensive plays before Adams liner forced an early exit after 88 pitches. The team said Wacha, the NLCS MVP last fall, had a bruise and was removed for precautionary reasons. Gerardo Parras two-run homer off Carlos Martinez put the Diamondbacks up 2-1 in the eighth, their first runs in 17 innings in the series after Adam&nbbsp;Wainwrights one-hitter Tuesday.ddddddddddddPinch-hitter Jon Jays sacrifice fly off Brad Ziegler tied it in the bottom half. Wacha snared Martin Prados liner right back at him on instincts, throwing his glove up on the follow-through. He foiled a squeeze attempt by Arizona starter Brandon McCarthy later in the fifth, gloving the bunt in front of the plate and shovelling the ball to Molina at the plate in time to catch Cody Ross. The Diamondbacks unsuccessfully challenged, lobbying for an obstruction call at the plate. Martinez gave up the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in a loss to Atlanta on Sunday and has surrendered seven runs in 7 2-3 innings his last nine outings. Ziegler was scored upon for just the second time in his last 23 appearances. The Cardinals won a challenge and perhaps saved a run in the second when Montero was ruled out attempting to steal with one out. The next batter, Prado, singled. Molina had two hits, giving him 14 the first eight games of a nine-game home stand. NOTES: Rock n roll Hall of Famer Chuck Berry, 87 and a St. Louis resident, threw out the first pitch. ... Lance Lynn (5-2, 3.67) faces Wade Miley (3-4, 4.94) to end a nine-game home stand. Lynn is 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA against Arizona and 20-8 lifetime at home. Miley is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in five road starts this year. ... Opponents are 8 for 19 attempting to steal against Molina. ... In Wachas 10 starts, hes allowed two or fewer runs six times. ... Cardinals SS Jhonny Peralta, 1 for 21 against McCarthy, did not start. ... Arizona 2B Aaron Hill returned after missing three games with shoulder soreness and was 0 for 5. ' ' '