England’s dominant reign in women’s rugby came to an abrupt end in Toronto as Canada delivered a 24-21 upset victory in the WXV Global Series, halting the Red Roses’ remarkable 41-match unbeaten streak that had spanned nearly four years.
The match featured tries from Canada winger Shoshanah Seumanutafa and fellow winger Savannah Bauder, with Seumanutafa’s decisive effort coming late enough to deny England a dramatic comeback. England’s tries came from wing Sarah Bern and centre Maddie Feaunati, with fly-half Zoe Harrison adding crucial points throughout the contest.
A Historic Milestone for Canada
This victory represented a watershed moment for Canadian rugby, as it marked the nation’s first win over England on Canadian soil. The significance of the achievement was amplified by the North American attendance record set for a standalone women’s rugby fixture, underlining the growing appeal of international women’s rugby competition in the region.
Canada captain Sophie de Goede and her squad delivered a performance that proved too resilient for England captain Meg Jones and her teammates, who entered the match as heavy favorites based on their recent form.
Mitchell’s Perspective
England head coach John Mitchell acknowledged the disappointment while finding positives in the performance. “We’re disappointed by the result but there was some very good things in our performance. So we’ll stick to our processes,” Mitchell said, indicating his intention to maintain the team’s established methods moving forward.
The loss represents a significant reversal in the two nations’ recent rivalry, with Canada head coach Kevin Rouet overseeing his team’s breakthrough moment on the international stage. Scrum-half Justine Pelletier and centre DaLeaka Menin were instrumental in Canada’s attacking setup throughout the encounter, complementing the try-scoring performances that ultimately proved decisive in a tightly contested battle.