Kevin Rouet could yet extend his Saracens role beyond the end of the 2025-26 season
In a previous life, as a structural engineer, Kevin Rouet used to build bridges.
As a rugby coach, he still is.
In September, the Frenchman was Canada's head coach, attempting to upset England in the Women's Rugby World Cup final.
A few weeks later. he added attack coach at Saracens, one of Premiership Women's Rugby's powerhouse sides, to his CV as well.
To span those two briefs is a stretch.
Rouet was plotting against the likes of Zoe Harrison, Marlie Packer and Jess Breach one month.
The next, he was conspiring with them to capture the PWR title that has eluded them since 2022.
Come the autumn. the 39-year-old will be back in his Canada role, attempting to end the Red Roses' 38-Test hot streak.
Like any good engineer, Rouet knows the value of laying groundwork.
"For the previous three years, I used to come to England in the winter. do the tour of every club in PWR," he said.
"I had been part of meetings for two or three years at Saracens, so I heard how they think about the game, how they run practices. stuff like that.
"But sometimes that's just not exciting as a coach - just watching people coaching. So I said to [Saracens women's director of rugby] Alex Austerberry, 'do you think I come in for a couple of weeks?',. he said, 'you can come for a full year if you want'."
It turned into a full-blown exchange scheme.
Austerberry was seconded to work on Canada's defence in 2025, before and during their Rugby World Cup run.
"Alex is my boss when I'm in Saracens, and I'm his boss when he's in Canada," explained Rouet.
Rouet comforts his Canada players after their 33-13 defeat by England in last September's Rugby World Cup final
For some at the Rugby Football Union, the arrangement was a little too cosy for comfort.
Insider knowledge is crucial. In the men's Test game, it is protected with closed-door sessions and non-compete clauses.
To have Rouet so closely embedded with one of England's foremost clubs. seeing some of England's key players up close up, felt awkward.
When he took up his Saracens role. the RFU opted not to supply some of England women's training data, routinely shared with PWR clubs, in case it gave Canada an on-pitch advantage.
Rouet, though, believes England are the ones benefiting.
"I give more information about the way we play in Canada. that I receive information about how England plays," he said.
"You have so many games, so much stuff to analyse - I already know how England think about rugby.
"I could see there was some stress at the beginning from the players to share information,. I just said, 'I already have it - I know what you guys are doing with England. I don't need you to tell me, but this is what we try to do with Saracens and that's different'."
Rouet's role at Saracens is just one example of how other nations are using the PWR - the strongest domestic league in the world by a distance - to try to close the gap on England at Test level.
Sixteen players in Rouet's initial Rugby World Cup squad plied their trade in the PWR.
United States stars Kate Zackery, Alev Kelter and Erica Jarrell-Searcy also play for Ealing Trailfinders, Loughborough and Sale respectively.
A raft of Black Ferns. including captain Ruahei Demant, signed deals to play in England after the Rugby World Cup too, while Australia announced an official policyof sending Wallaroos to English clubs earlier this month.
Even France's best, who have traditionally stuck to their own domestic game, are making the trip. Gabrielle Vernier, a former World Player of the Year nominee, ison her way to England next season.,external
That influx has heightened concerns that. despite a requirement that teams average 13 English-qualified players in each matchday squad, the pathway for young English talent may be squeezed.
Canada head coach Rouet joins Saracens Women
Too popular, too strong and a deep domestic league is a problem Rouet would love Canada to have.
"The fun part with the [Canada] girls being in PWR is the quality of games," he added.
"If you look at the top eight in the PWR, even Bristol, who are last, have six wins.
"There are no easy games, and this is the value for the players definitely.
"But off the pitch, the [Canada] girls have to live as students. They are not well paid, Rugby Canada doesn't provide them enough money. their visas don't allow them to work on the side.
"So, PWR is very helpful, but it's also not sustainable for them to do that for 10 years.
"Also the only reason this PWR is the best of the leagues is because there are players from six. seven, eight countries that play in England.
"Those young English players who aren't centrally contracted, have to grind to get game time. That is not bad for them. It's the same for the senior Canada players when they come to a PWR club."
Those Canada players. their colleagues will get three shots at England, and revenge for their World Cup final defeat, this autumn. They meet the Red Roses in Exeter on 19 September, before home fixtures in Toronto. Ottawa on 17 and 24 October.
Canada will have big crowds, but, with players scattered across continents. Rugby Canada's focus switching to the men's side and Australia 2027, short preparation time for those games.
"That's the reality of our programme - we have to just be confident,. also be mindful if we don't beat England, that's OK," said Rouet.
For Saracens, expectations are higher. They finished the PWR's regular season strongly.
Gloucester-Hartpury, the three-time defending champions, didn't.
The 'Circus' is in danger of falling flat after defeats by Ealing Trailfinders. Bristol Bears in their final two games.
Saracens take on Exeter this Sunday in the semi-finals. Rouet and his team are determined to put on a show of their own.
"We have a duty to try to promote the women's game. part of that is playing fast rugby that is exciting, fun and beautiful to watch," he added.
"We have great players at Saracens. players who love to take initiative, take an option, read the game as well as respect the structure. They love to do that, maybe I just try to empower them to do so."
He can build bridges, but Rouet also hopes to destroy dynasties.
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