Kelly Russell isn’t one for making outlandish statements so when she says “our goal is to take home the cup,” it is clear that Canada mean business.

Russell is appearing in her third Women’s Rugby World Cup and her second as captain, the number eight having led the side to the final of the last tournament in France in 2014.

Ranked third in the World Rugby Women's Rankings, Canada find themselves in the same pool as four-time champions New Zealand, Wales and debutants Hong Kong.

They face the Asian newcomers first up at Billings Park in Dublin on 9 August, a game where they will need to hit the ground running ahead of tougher tests to come.

However, Russell, now in her 10th season of international rugby, has been around the block long enough to know not to take any teams lightly.

“We won’t take any chances against any team regardless of what their standing is. Sometimes when you play less experienced teams it can throw you off your game if you’re not on the ball and concentrating on the process. Every game is as important as the next," she said.

“There have been times in the past where you’ve felt the energy dip in games against such opposition, but we are usually able to recognise that and pull each other out of it.

“We’re just going to take it a game at a time and focus on what we’re doing and our processes. If we do that, the outcome should take care of itself.”

CLOSE-KNIT

With 18 survivors from the silver medal-winning campaign of 2014, pulling together in adversity will not be a problem for Canada.

“It is great to have the same core group of girls. We were very close back in 2014 and those relationships have grown and grown since then," the 30-year-old explained. “The great thing about this squad is that everyone is on the same page, everyone has the same goals, which is to take home the cup, and there is that belief we can do it.”

Two players definitely on the same page are Russell and her younger sister Laura, the Canadian hooker and pack leader (main picture).

“It is always incredible playing with her, we just know each other so well on and off the pitch," said Russell, who also won an Olympic bronze medal in 2016 as a member of Canada's sevens squad.

“Obviously, we have a special connection out there, we are able to read what each other is doing. I don’t have to look for her, I’ll know she is right there and vice versa. She is such a hard player who brings passion and energy and gets us going forward.

“It is a very special experience for both of us to play together for our country.”

SEA OF RED

With around 200 family members and friends due to make the trip overseas, Canada will not lack for support in Ireland.

“There will be a lot of maple leaves and a lot of red,” assured Russell, who still carries the Canadian national flag towel her mum gave to her before her first U19s match over a decade ago.

Qualification for the semi-finals is likely to rest on the outcome of Canada’s final pool game against New Zealand, on 17 August.

The Black Ferns won 28-16 when the sides last met six weeks ago in Wellington at the International Women’s Rugby Series. Canada also lost narrowly to reigning world champions England while in New Zealand before an emphatic win over Australia.

"It was important for us to go down to New Zealand at that point and play the best teams two months out from the World Cup. It gave us a good understanding of where we are at and what was going well and what we needed to work on," Russell pointed out.

“Obviously, we were disappointed with the results because we know that we definitely didn’t play the way we exactly wanted to but it was a big learning curve for us and exactly what we needed.

“We are excited by the prospect of meeting New Zealand again in our pool.”

While results in New Zealand suggest improving on their runners-up finish of 2014 will be a difficult task, one thing is certain, Canada’s calm but forceful leader will not be throwing the towel in for anyone.