Canada ended England’s 41-game unbeaten run in women’s rugby with a dramatic 24-21 victory at BMO Field in Toronto. This historic win not only broke England’s dominance but also served as redemption for Canada after their loss to the Red Roses in last year’s World Cup final.
The match, witnessed by a record crowd of 18,621 spectators, saw Canada execute a determined and resilient performance. England initially gained the upper hand, leading 14-5 at halftime, thanks to tries from Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison. However, Canada capitalized on a yellow card to Harrison, with Savannah Bauder scoring the opening try.
In the second half, Canada mounted a comeback with Alysha Corrigan’s solo try narrowing the gap. Although Sarah Bern extended England’s lead, Canada remained relentless. DaLeaka Menin’s try further intensified the contest, setting the stage for Shoshanah Seumanutafa’s decisive try in the closing minutes, which secured Canada’s 24-21 victory.
England’s head coach, John Mitchell, acknowledged the loss as a significant learning opportunity for the team, emphasizing the importance of resilience in their journey. The two teams are set to face each other again next weekend, providing England a chance to bounce back and Canada an opportunity to build on their momentous performance.