Canada delivered a stunning 24-21 victory over England in a WXV women’s rugby international match in Toronto, putting an end to the Red Roses’ remarkable 41-game unbeaten run. The match, held at BMO Field in front of a record crowd of 18,621, marked a significant moment for Canadian women’s rugby and served as a form of redemption following England’s triumph over Canada in last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
England initially appeared strong, taking advantage of early opportunities to lead 14-5 at halftime through tries by Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison. However, Canada capitalized on a yellow card given to Harrison to score the opening try by Savannah Bauder.
In the second half, Canada mounted a fierce comeback. Alysha Corrigan’s solo try narrowed the gap, while DaLeaka Menin’s try kept the pressure on England. Despite a response from England’s Sarah Bern, Canada continued to press forward. The decisive moment came when Shoshanah Seumanutafa crossed the line in the closing minutes, securing the win for Canada at 24-21.
England’s defeat ended a dominant period in international women’s rugby that had lasted since 2022. Their head coach, John Mitchell, acknowledged the loss as an opportunity for learning and expressed confidence in the team’s resilience. The teams are set to face each other again next weekend, giving both sides a chance to either bounce back or solidify their standing following this dramatic encounter.