Emma Taylor (rugby union)

Emma Taylor
Date of birth (1992-07-09) 9 July 1992 (age 32)
Height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021–Present Saracens (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–Present  Canada 19 (9)

Emma Taylor (born 9 July 1992) is a Canadian rugby union player. She competes for Canada internationally and for Saracens in the Premiership Women's Rugby competition.

Family and early years

Taylor's paternal grandmother was Mi’kmaq, and her maternal grandparents grew up in West Bay, Cape Breton, part of the We’koqma’q First Nations.[1]

Taylor played for Nova Scotia Keltics under-18, under-20, and senior teams.[1] She graduated from St. Francis Xavier with a Business Degree in 2015 and was also their star forward.[2][3] She played club rugby for Halifax RFC.[3][4] She joined Irving Shipbuilding after graduating from St. Francis Xavier.[5] She also completed her master's in project management at Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School in Dublin.[5]

Rugby career

In June 2015, she made her test debut for Canada against the Black Ferns at the Super Series in Alberta.[2][1] She later moved to Ireland for three years before moving back to Canada in 2019.[4] She scored her first international try against the United States in the 2019 Can-Am Series.[1] In 2021, she signed with the Saracens.[6][1]

Taylor was part of the Canadian side that defeated the Wallaroos in the Pacific Four Series ahead of the World Cup.[4] She competed for Canada at the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.[7][8] She featured in the Pool games against Japan and Italy.[9][10] Her last World Cup match was in the third place final against France.[11]

In 2023, She was named in Canada's squad for their test against the Springbok women and for the Pacific Four Series.[12][13] She was named on the bench for Canada's match against South Africa in Madrid, Spain.[14][15] In July, she featured in her sides 21–52 loss to the Black Ferns at the Pacific Series in Ottawa.[16][17]

Taylor returned to Saracens for the 2023–24 Premiership Women's Rugby season.[18][19]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Player Spotlight: Taylor targetting success at Rugby World Cup". Rugby Canada. 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  2. ^ a b "Team KidSport: Emma Taylor". Kings / West Hants. 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  3. ^ a b MacDonald, Glenn (2023-07-04). "RUGBY: Scotsburn standout Emma Taylor named to Team Canada for Pacific Four Series". www.saltwire.com. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  4. ^ a b c "Scotsburn's Emma Taylor part of a group of Four Former Rugby X-Women to Play for Rugby 15s Team in New Zealand". 989 XFM. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  5. ^ a b "Meet Emma Taylor, Irving Shipbuilding teammate who doubles as an aspiring World Cup Rugby player". Irving Shipbuilding. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  6. ^ "Emma Taylor". Saracens. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  7. ^ "Canada's Women's Rugby World Cup squad named for New Zealand". Rugby Canada. 2022-08-31. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  8. ^ Mockford, Sarah (2022-10-16). "Canada Women's Rugby World Cup Squad 2022 – Italy 12-22 Canada". Rugby World. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  9. ^ "Tuttosi grabs hat trick as Canada rout Japan". Americas Rugby News. 2022-10-09. Retrieved 2022-11-25.
  10. ^ "Canada outmuscle Italy to clinch Quarter Final spot". Americas Rugby News. 2022-10-16. Retrieved 2022-11-25.
  11. ^ "Blue wave hits Canada as France celebrates Bronze victory". Americas Rugby News. 2022-11-12. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  12. ^ "Seven new names in Canada squad for Spain tour". Americas Rugby News. 2023-03-16. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  13. ^ "Kevin Rouet names Canada's Women's Rugby Team roster for Spain Tour and Pacific Four Series opener". Rugby Canada. 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  14. ^ "One-sided win for Canada over South Africa". Americas Rugby News. 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  15. ^ "Canada's Women's Rugby Team opens 2023 with convincing win over South Africa". Rugby Canada. 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  16. ^ "Black Ferns fly past Canada in front of record crowd in Ottawa". Americas Rugby News. 2023-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  17. ^ Burnes, Campbell (2023-07-09). "Black Ferns secure WXV1 qualification with Ottawa victory". allblacks.com. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  18. ^ Sansom, Tom (2023-07-21). ""Canadian Comeback" - Saracens Confirm Return of Emma Taylor". Ruck. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  19. ^ "Saracens re-sign Canada pair De Goede and Taylor". BBC Sport. 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2024-02-14.