The Classic Can-Am Series played its first official women’s match in February 2025, pitting the Canada Classics against USA Rugby South in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers won that match 35-27 and rolled that momentum into a 2025 Mary Graham All-Star Tournament title. The Americans now head to Halifax, Nova Scotia, this Saturday, May 30 for the 2026 rematch. The tour north also includes an exhibition game against the Atlantic Privateers on Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. ET. [lead photo: Nick Davis / @knoxminx]

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Twenty-three players have been selected for 2026 Classic Can-Am tour. There has been decent turnover from the roster that traveled to Texas to win Mary Grahams — the last time the Panthers took the pitch — but several players return with ample Panthers experience. Top of mind are those players who represented Tampa Bay Krewe (5) in the USA Club Rugby Division II 15s National Championship on May 15-17. The Florida team accounts for five selections, while the Atlanta 2.0 Selects (6), Birmingham Steel (3) and Fort Miami (2) also have multiple players on the squad. All told, seven states (excluding “South origin” players) are represented on the travel roster.

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Renee McLane  and Neil Pietila are co-coaching this tour, and are back by a solid support staff in Nikki Penikas (logistics), Alana Schouten (manager) and athletic trainers Katie Storms and Chelsea Robl. The group will have the opportunity to sync on Thursday night, when USA Rugby South faces the Atlantic Privateers on Graves Oakley Field in Spryfield, Nova Scotia. It’s a 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff. The Panthers then take the pitch against the Canada Classics (roster) show occurs this Saturday. Exact location, kickoff time and livestream details have not been released as of time of print. Follow @usasouthrugby.women and @canadianclassicsrugby for the latest.

USA SOUTH 2026 CLASSIC CAN-AM ROSTER

FORWARDS
Gabi Bergamin – Tampa Bay Krewe, FL
T Fletcher – South origin
Sam Fraser – Carolina Villains, NC
Tiara Littleton – Dallas Harlequins, TX
Autumn Powell – South origin
Jessie Premet – Tampa Bay Krewe, FL
Corinne Priest – Atlanta 2.0 Selects, GA
Kaelyn Robinson – Birmingham Steel, AL
Steph Robinson – Birmingham Steel, AL
Wanita Rodriquez – Tampa Bay Krewe, FL
Mar Sifre – Atlanta 2.0 Selects, GA
Kierra Storms – Birmingham Steel, AL

BACKS
Rhia Cox – Atlanta 2.0 Selects, GA
Regina Durkan – Knoxville Minx, TN
Jen Fasano – Tampa Bay Krewe, FL
Sofia Fernandez – Fort Miami, FL
Amanda Lam – Atlanta 2.0 Selects, GA
Emily Mallet – Atlanta 2.0 Selects, GA
Abby Mummert – Charleston Hurricanes, SC
Janay Peacock – Atlanta 2.0 Selects, GA
Vanessa Plasencia – Fort Miami, FL
Emily Rahija – Tampa Bay Krewe, FL
Deena Scoville – Raleigh Venom, NC

STAFF
Renee McLane – Coach, Hilton Head, NC
Neil Pietila – Coach, Raleigh Venom, NC
Nikki Penikas – Logistics, South origin
Chelsea Robl – AT, Knoxville Minx, TN
Katie Storms – AT, Birmingham Steel, AL
Alana Schouten – Manager, Birmingham Steel, AL