Kevin Rouet named head coach of Canadian women's rugby team ahead of World Cup

Sandro Fiorino is out as head coach of the Canadian women's rugby team, replaced by assistant coach Kevin Rouet.

The move comes less than seven months before Canada, currently ranked fourth in the world, is scheduled to begin play at the Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Fiorino, who Rugby Canada described as a "valued" employee, will leave at the end of the month after 11 years with the organization, including four in charge of the women's 15s team. Rouet spent the last four years as his assistant coach.

"This departure aligns with the conclusion of the season for the Rugby Canada Development Academy in Ontario where he serves as lead, which Rugby Canada has made the difficult decision to discontinue following a reduction in funding," Rugby Canada said in a statement Tuesday.

Jamie Levchuk, Rugby Canada's interim CEO, said the closing of the Ontario academy at the end of the month is related to its Own The Podium funding.

"Sandro did have a dual role here at Rugby Canada and the majority of his role was attached to the academy in Ontario," Levchuk said in an interview. "And that was going to be discontinuing. And then there was also obviously continual evaluation of the team and it was just felt that a change was the best option for the team.

Levchuk said the organization looked at options for Fiorino to stay "but ultimately Sandro decided to go and pursue other endeavours."

"We think really highly of Sandro, both as coach and a person," he added.

Fiorino did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Canadian Press.

Rugby Canada said it will continue to operate both the centralized sevens program and the Maple Leaf Academy program in Langford to help develop women's talent.

Fiorino was named