Canadian rugby captain Sophie de Goede to make World 7s Series debut in France

Canada 15s captain Sophie de Goede, a nominee for World Rugby's Women's 15s Player of the Year award in 2022, will make her HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut next week in France.

The May 12-14 HSBC France Sevens is the seventh and last stop on the women's sevens circuit. The eighth-ranked Canadian women will face No. 1 New Zealand, the third-ranked U.S. and invitational side Poland in Pool A at Stade Ernest-Wallon.

Live coverage throughout the event will be available on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem.

De Goede, who plays No. 8 for the 15s team, joins a sevens squad currently missing 11 players through injury.

The French event marks the Canadian women's final competition ahead of the Rugby Americas North Sevens Olympic qualifier in August in Langford, B.C.

On the men's side, Toulouse is the 10th and penultimate stop on the circuit with the Canadians facing a relegation battle in the World Series finale May 20-21 in London.

The number of core teams in the men's World Series is being reduced to 12 from 16 next season to match the number of women's sides and to align with the Olympic competition structure.

The 15th-ranked core team following Toulouse will be relegated, with No. 15 Japan currently trailing No. 14 Canada by eight points.

The teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th after Toulouse will join the Challenger Series 2023 winners in a four-team relegation playoff at the final round in London.

The playoff winner will become the 12th core team on the 2024 Series, while the other three teams will move into their respective Regional Sevens Championships in order to qualify for the 2024 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series. The Challenger Series will continue to provide a pathway for teams to earn qualification