The Canada women’s rugby tour of New Zealand has been cancelled. The tour was due to be take place in April with Canada playing the Black Ferns twice. It had been touted by the NZRU as the main build-up games for the World Cup for the Black Ferns, whose main representative competition, the NPC, was axed by the union due to financial constraints earlier this year.

Former Canada player, Meghan Mutrie, has posted her second blog and tells us how she has recovered following a serious brain injury when playing for Canada two years ago, and more about her work in recent months promoting the Canadian national women’s team. Mutrie also reports on the men's game.

A tight game in Florida saw the USA hit back at Canada, who had beaten them earlier in the week, as the home team edged the second game of the Atlantic Cup 11-10. All the points were scored in the second half and Canada almost stole the victory with a late try. The earlier game of the day saw the Canadian U20s team also sneak a close win as they beat their USA counterparts 13-12.

A sterling second half performance from the Canada women’s rugby side last night in Florida was enough to see them see out victory over their nearest rivals the USA. The first game of the Atlantic Cup saw the USA lead 8-0 at the break  but Canada dominated the second half and saw out the game 18-8. Canada’s winter preparation, which included a two tests in France appeared to stand yo them late in the match.

Canada women's rugby head coach Johnathan Long has named a strong lineup for the first of two tests against the USA in Florida. See the team here and watch a video preview featuring leading players. The US won a narrow gameover their northern neighbours when they last played each other at the Nations Cup in August. Since then, the Americans have been dormant in international play, but Canada split a pair of tests with third-ranked France in November.