Tyson Beukeboom to become Canada's most-capped rugby player at World Cup

Canadian lock Tyson Beukeboom will become Canada's most-capped rugby player Saturday when she earns cap No. 81 against Scotland at the Rugby World Cup in England.

Former Canada captain Aaron Carpenter had 80 caps when he retired in 2018, at the age of 34, after a string of head injuries. Carpenter, a hard-charging back-row forward and hooker, broke World Rugby Hall of Famer Al Charron's Canadian caps record when he earned his 77th in a loss to Romania in June 2017.

The 34-year-old Beukeboom, a native of Uxbridge, Ont., who earned her first cap in July 2013 against England, is a hard-nosed second-row forward with 16 international tries to her credit.

"She brings the experience, she is amazing offensively and defensively and she brings a lot to the team on the field being quite violent on defence, but she's very smart in offence," said Canada coach Kevin Rouet. "I love the kind of leader she is. She says what is on her mind and I like that."

With No. 2 Canada and No. 6 Scotland (both 2-0-0, 10 points) having already secured their places in the knockout round, Saturday's game is for top spot in Pool B — and likely avoiding top-ranked England in the quarterfinals.

The Pool B winner faces the Pool A runner-up while the second-place team plays the Pool A winner. England (2-0-0, 10 points) and No. 7 Australia (1-1-0, eight points) square off Saturday in Brighton to decide first place in their group.

The Canadian women opened tournament play by defeating No. 14 Fiji 65-7 before dispatching No. 11 Wales 42-0. Scotland downed Wales 38-8 and Fiji 29-15.

"We have been happy with our first two games but there is still room for improvement before the quarterfinals," Rouet said. "Scotland will give us a new challenge this week but our