Match Statistics
- Canada Tries: Bauder, Corrigan, Menin, Seumanutafa
- Canada Conversions: De Goede (2)
- England Tries: Feaunati, Harrison, Bern
- England Conversions: Harrison (3)
England’s remarkable 41-match unbeaten streak ended in a dramatic 24-21 defeat against Canada in Toronto. The result marks the first time the Red Roses have lost since the 2022 World Cup final against New Zealand. For Canada, the win represents their first success over England since 2016 and their maiden victory against them on home soil. Canada, who previously snapped England’s 39-match winning run with a 26-26 draw in Exeter in September, are the first team to defeat the Red Roses since November 2022, when they lost to New Zealand in the World Cup final. We’re disappointed by the result but there was some very good things in our performance. She was frustrated at being denied the opportunity to go for the win, although reluctantly conceding that head coach Kevin Rouet’s call to kick the ball dead was the sensible one, even after ending the Red Roses’ winning run in Exeter. Where De Goede’s side showcased “the DNA of our team” and “found a way to win”, sleep might once again be hard to come by â albeit for far happier reasons, after a historic performance in Toronto.
A record-breaking crowd of 18,621 spectators—the largest for a standalone women’s international in North America—witnessed the comeback. Savannah Bauder opened the scoring for Canada in the 15th minute while England fly-half Zoe Harrison was serving a yellow card. However, England rallied to take a 14-5 lead into half-time, responding with tries from Maddie Feaunati and Harrison after Canada’s Laetitia Royer was sent to the sin-bin. Playing in front of 18,621 fans, a record for a standalone women’s fixture in North America, the result also marks England’s first defeat by Canada since 2016 and their first against their hosts on Canadian soil, having won their previous 11 away matches. With several players in the squad never having tasted defeat on the international stage – winger Jess Breach was unbeaten in her previous 59 caps, the result places England in uncharted territory.
The second half remained intense, with Sarah Bern crossing for England to extend their advantage after a stylish solo effort from Canada’s Alysha Corrigan. DaLeaka Menin brought the hosts back into contention with a converted try after the hour mark. With just three minutes remaining, a handling error disrupted England’s exit strategy, allowing replacement Shoshanah Seumanutafa to break down the left wing for the decisive score.
Coaching and Captaincy Reaction
England head coach John Mitchell, who had been undefeated since his 2023 appointment, emphasized the need for development. He noted that while the result was disappointing, it provided necessary context that may help the team grow. England captain Meg Jones urged unity, reminding the squad that they remain world champions and that target-on-the-back pressure is part of the game. Look out for each other, and we go again, england are “still world champions” and her message is simple: “Stick together.
England Squad and Officials
- England Starting XV: Kildunne, Breach, Jones, Heard, Moloney-MacDonald, Harrison, L Packer, Botterman, Cokayne, Bern, Talling, Ives Campion, Burton, Matthews, Feaunati
- England Replacements: Field, Carson, Muir, Short, Kabeya, Hunt, Rowland, Sing
- Canada Starting XV: Bauder, Corrigan, Symonds, Perry, Hogan-Rochester, Tessier, Apps, Nelson, Idowu, Menin, de Goede, Royer, Smith, Omokhuale, Gibson
- Canada Replacements: Tuttosi, Kassil, Rempel, Forteza, Buisa, Senft, Pelletier, Seumanutafa
- Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (Fra)
The match highlighted vulnerabilities that had been emerging during England’s WXV Global Series. Earlier in September, the Red Roses trailed at halftime against Australia before surging back, and they were held to a 26-26 draw by Canada in Exeter. A subsequent 26-19 win over New Zealand at Twickenham was only secured in the final minutes. The world champions trailed at half-time for the first time since 2020 before roaring back with seven second-half tries for a 48-15 win, against Australia.
In Toronto, England’s offense lacked its usual clinical edge. An early try from Claudia Moloney-MacDonald was disallowed for a knock-on, and several opportunities went unfinished in the Canadian 22. Defensive penalties also hindered the visitors, handing the hosts enough territory to mount their late surge. This time, Canada’s defensive resilience in the face of repeated attacks kept the world champions off the scoreboard until the 32nd minute, but England also lacked a clinical touch in their opponents’ 22, with multiple o.
For Canada, the win serves as catharsis after a difficult period. Captain De Goede had previously spoken of restless nights following their 2025 World Cup final loss to England. Scrum-half Justine Pelletier described the victory as a win on multiple levels, citing the support of the home crowd and the team’s internal resilience. I guess [the loss] frees us up and allows us to find more. Sometimes it requires the context that we’ve just received to dig deeper and find something more. That win at the end on the pitch was just the cherry on [top].
The two nations are scheduled to play again in Ottawa on Friday, 23 October. England will then finish their 2026 WXV Global Series campaign against the USA in New Jersey on 30 October. The two sides will renew their rivalry in Ottawa on Friday, 23 October (in the early hours of Saturday on UK time) before England conclude their 2026 WXV Global Series against the USA in New Jersey on Friday, 30 October (21:15 GMT).
Important Details
- There’s a target on our back continuously. Everyone’s got that underdog mentality, that underdog fight, she added: “We’ve got to remember.
- We’ve got to be in a position now where we’ve got to be the quickest to respond. That’s the nature of the game.
- What an amazing achievement for us as a group. I think they will go down in history as one of the best sporting teams.
- We’re still number one, and we’ll still keep pushing to be the best we possibly can, we’re still world champions.
- Sin-bin: Harrison (13).
- Assistant referees: Luke Rogan (USA) and Amelia Luciano (USA).
- TMO: Derek Summers (USA).
