Canada prop Kassil banned three matches after red card in WXV Global Series opener against Scotland

Canada loosehead prop Brittany Kassil has been banned for three matches after receiving a red card during her side’s WXV Global Series opener against Scotland on 6 September, an Independent Foul Play Review Committee confirmed on Monday 14 September.

Kassil was initially carded for an offence under Law 9.13 — dangerous tackling — following an upgrade by the Foul Play Review Officer. The prop accepted that foul play had occurred and that the sanction was warranted after a head-to-head collision with a Scotland player. Mitigation reduced the standard six-game ban for head contact to three matches, and the suspension can be cut further to two games upon successful completion of World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.

The ban carries significant consequences for Canada’s schedule. Kassil will miss this weekend’s WXV Global Series clash with England in Exeter — a replay of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final — as well as next week’s fixture against France in La Rochelle and Canada’s first home Test of October against England at BMO Field in Toronto.

Despite the red card, Canada ran out comfortable 64-26 winners against Scotland at Hive Stadium, crossing for 10 tries. Olivia Apps was named Player of the Week for her performance in the victory.

For the England fixture, head coach Kévin Rouet has made several changes to his starting XV. Mikiela Nelson steps in at loosehead prop to cover Kassil’s absence, while Sophie McDonald, who made her debut from the bench against Scotland, is named among the replacements. Notably, incumbent World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year Sophie de Goede returns to the starting line-up after a supporting role in Edinburgh.

In a separate disciplinary matter from the same round of fixtures, Fiji men’s player Isoa Nasilasila received a one-match ban for the red card he was shown during the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 match against Canada.