Canada ended England’s impressive 41-match unbeaten streak with a nail-biting 24-21 victory in a WXV women’s rugby international match held at BMO Field in Toronto. The match, witnessed by a record crowd of 18,621 spectators, marked a significant moment for Canadian rugby as the team secured a historic win over the Red Roses, who had not lost since the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
England initially took the lead, with Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison contributing to a 14-5 advantage by halftime. However, Canada capitalized on a yellow card given to England’s Zoe Harrison, with Savannah Bauder scoring the opening try for the Canadians. This momentum shift continued into the second half when Alysha Corrigan’s solo effort narrowed the gap, and DaLeaka Menin added another crucial try as Canada intensified their attack.
In the closing minutes, Shoshanah Seumanutafa’s decisive try pushed Canada ahead 24-21, sealing the victory and sparking celebrations among Canadian players and fans alike. The thrilling win served as a form of redemption for Canada following their defeat to England in last year’s World Cup final.
England’s head coach, John Mitchell, acknowledged the significance of the loss, emphasizing the lessons to be learned and expressing confidence in his team’s ability to bounce back. The defeat marks a turning point for England, which has been a dominant force in international women’s rugby for the past four years.
The two teams are slated to face off again next weekend, providing England with an immediate chance to respond and Canada an opportunity to build on their landmark performance.