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TORONTO - Forward Kelly Russell will lead a balanced Canadian side at the IRB Womens Rugby World Cup in Paris this summer. The 27-year-old captain from Bolton, Ont., one of 26 women named to coach Francois Ratiers roster Monday, will be looking to erase the memories of a disappointing sixth-place finish at the 2010 tournament. The Canadian womens best result is fourth, achieved at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 tournaments. Other returning veterans of the 2010 tournament are Kim Donaldson, Mandy Marchak, Barbara Mervin, Julia Sugawara, Brittany Waters and Julianne Zussman. Five or six players were unavailable for selection due to injury or sevens commitments. "This is the 26 best players we had available," said Ratier, who took over the Canadian women in March 2013. "My goal at the beginning was to have a balanced squad between veterans and new players — experience and fresh minds," he added. "At the end, thats what I have." The youngsters include 19-year-old fly half Emily Belchos. New Zealand has won the last four womens World Cups, beating England in the final of the last three tournaments. Canada can take confidence from staying close to the Black Ferns in 33-21 and 16-8 losses on tour in June. "We were pretty pleased about the performance in New Zealand," said Ratier. "But we didnt show everything. So we keep some surprises, maybe. Well see. "We are not so far (behind). In a World Cup, in one game, you never know." Russell plays No. 8 at the back of the scrum, one of several positions that Ratier considers the spine of his team. The others are hooker (Donaldson and Mary-Jane Kirby), scrum half (Stephanie Bernier), fly half (Belchos is one of several contenders) and fullback (Elissa Alarie). "She (Russell), for me, is the centre of this spine — because of her experience, the way she leads and the good communication between her and I" said Ratier. Russells younger sister Laura is also on the World Cup roster. The 12-team tournament runs Aug. 1-17 in France. Canada has been placed in Pool A with Spain, Samoa and England. Canada opens against Spain, a team it beat at the 1991 and 2006 World Cups, on Aug 1 before facing Samoa on Aug. 5 and England on Aug. 9. Canada has never played Samoa. The Canadian women beat a young England squad 27-13 last summer but lost 30-3 when they met again last November. Only the three pool winners and the best-placed runner-up team advance to the semifinals. "Obviously in our pool, England is the favourite," said Ratier. "Its a fact. So it forces us to win and score a lot of points against Spain and Samoa." Ratier, a native of France who came to Canada 11 years ago and now makes his home in Montreal, has also coached the Rugby Club de Montreal (2003-2008), Concordia University (2007-2008) and the Quebec provincial team. He was also technical director of the Quebec Union and assistant coach with The Rock and Canada ‘A in 2009. In addition, he has worked with the Canada U-17 mens side. The Canadian women will gather for a one-week training camp in France prior to the tournament. Canadas Womens Rugby World Cup Roster: (with club and home town) Elissa Alarie, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club, Trois-Rivieres, Que.; Emily Belchos, Barrie, Ont., Markham Irish RFC; Brittany Benn, Guelph Redcoats, Napanee, Ont.; Stephanie Bernier, Club de Rugby Quebec, Quebec City; Tyson Beukeboom, Aurora Barbarians, Uxbridge, Ont.; Latoya Blackwood, St. Anne de Bellevue, Montreal; Andrea Burk, Capilano RFC, North Vancouver; Olivia DeMerchant, Woodstock Wildmen, Mapledale, N.B.; Kim Donaldson, Burnaby Lake Rugby Club, Toronto; Jessica Dovanne, Velox RFC, Victoria; Magali Harvey, Club de Rugby Quebec, Quebec City; Mary-Jane Kirby, Highland RFC, Brampton, Ont.; Hilary Leith, Capilano RFC, Vancouver; Kayla Mack, Wild Oats RFC, Saskatoon; Mandy Marchak, Capilano RFC, Winnipeg; Barbara Mervin, Velox RFC, Peterborough, Ont.; Jacey Murphy, Aurora Barbarians, Alliston, Ont.; Karen Paquin, Club de Rugby Quebec, Quebec City; Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, Club de Rugby Quebec, Quebec City; Kelly Russell (capt.), Toronto Nomads, Bolton, Ont.; Laura Russell, Toronto Nomads, Bolton, Ont.; Maria Samson, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Julia Sugawara, Burnaby Lake RFC, Surrey, B.C.; Amanda Thornborough, Brandon Barbarians RFC, Brandon, Man.; Brittany Waters, Meraloma Athletic Club, Vancouver; Julianne Zussman, Town of Mount Royal RFC, Montreal. Head Coach: Francois Ratier Forwards Coach: Gary Dukelow Backs Coach: Colette McAuley Technical Adviser: John Tait Strength and Conditioning: Steve Mackinnon . Earnshaw, 31, most recently spent time on loan in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv from Welsh club Cardiff City, which plays in Englands second-tier League Championship. Earnshaw began his career with Cardiff Citys youth program and turned professional in 1998. . The 23-year-old Neustaedter will move at the end of the season when his contract with Moenchengladbach expires. He signed a four-year deal with Schalke. http://www.baseballastrosproshop.com/mi ... os-jersey/. -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. . The Rangers centre left early in Game 1 with an upper body injury after being checked by Canadiens defenceman Mike Weaver and has not played since. Brassard told reporters after practice that he was good to go. That brought a smile to the face of Rangers coach Alain Vigneault. . The Oilers have been shut out in three straight home games and are in last place in the Western Conference with a 4-14-2 record. "Things have obviously not gone as well as I would have thought probable.DENVER -- Each time Michael Cuddyer really tried to sprint in the outfield grass to fully assess his strained left hamstring, he felt like it was about to give out. Not worth a risk. Not this early in the season. The Colorado Rockies outfielder went on the 15-day disabled list Monday, a move retroactive to Friday. To take his place on the roster, the Rockies recalled infielder Charlie Culberson from Triple-A Colorado Springs. "Extremely frustrating," Cuddyer said of his balky hamstring, something hes never experienced before in his career. "This is nagging more than anything else." The reigning NL batting champion estimates he can run at about 70 per cent before the hamstring begins to act up. "Obviously, you cant play like that," he said. "I dont know how long its going to take." Cuddyer is off to another hot start at the plate, too, hitting .317 with three homers and 10 RBIs. With Cuddyer sidelined, the Rockies will platoon players in right, with Charlie Blackmon starting Monday against the San Francisco Giants. Depth in the outfield is certainly something the Rockies have an abundance of this season. "Cuddy is one of the better players on this team. More than even on this team, in this game," shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. "Its definitely going to make an impact. But were deep enough; were going to be OK. "And when we get him back, its going to be that much more of a complement to our lineup, to have such a good player. You know youre going to go through the season and people are going to have injuries. Hopeefully, we get him back sooner rather than later.dddddddddddd." Cuddyer spent some time on the DL last May with a bulging disk in his neck. He hit .331 to become the sixth Rockies player to lead the league in batting. "Give him a couple of weeks to heal up and hopefully hell be ready to go at that point," manager Walt Weiss said. All-Star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was back in the lineup a day after leaving the game with tendinitis in his left knee. He said the pain flares up from time to time, especially when he takes a bad step out of the batters box like he did Sunday against Philadelphia. "I try to play my best with what I have right now," said Gonzalez, who texted his manager Sunday night to say he would be good to go against the Giants. "Its always going to be that way. Youre always going to have to deal with pain. You have to understand your body and understand what you can do. Im trying to go out there with no limits. "Im not going to think about the knee, try to run as fast as I can and make every play I can make. Its something we have to manage." Closely, too. "Just check in with him on a daily basis," Weiss said. "Well certainly keep an eye on him." Colorado may be moving closer to getting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin back from a strained shoulder. The hard-throwing righty is scheduled to make another minor league injury rehabilitation start Friday for the Sky Sox and is to throw about 80 pitches. He was eligible to be reinstated April 5. "I feel good," Chacin said. "Really good." ' ' '