Canada ended England’s impressive 41-game unbeaten streak with a dramatic 24-21 victory in a WXV women’s rugby international match held at BMO Field in Toronto. The highly anticipated game saw a record crowd of 18,621 spectators witness Canada deliver a determined performance, marking a significant turning point in women’s rugby.
England initially took the lead, thanks to efforts from Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison, which resulted in a 14-5 advantage by halftime. However, the turning point came when Canada capitalized on a yellow card given to England’s Harrison, with Savannah Bauder scoring the first try for the hosts. Alysha Corrigan then narrowed the gap with a solo effort after the break.
Although England’s Sarah Bern responded with a try, Canada’s persistence paid off as DaLeaka Menin further intensified the contest with another try. The decisive moment arrived in the closing minutes when Shoshanah Seumanutafa scored, securing a 24-21 lead for Canada, which they maintained until the final whistle.
England’s head coach, John Mitchell, acknowledged the defeat as an opportunity for the team to learn and grow, expressing confidence in their ability to respond positively. The loss, which broke a streak that had lasted since the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup final, serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of international women’s rugby.
The two teams are set to meet again next weekend, providing England an immediate opportunity to bounce back and for Canada to build on their historic triumph.