Canada beat England 24-21 as late Seumanutafa try ends unbeaten run

Canada defeated top-ranked England 24-21 at BMO Field in Toronto on Friday, ending the visitors’ unbeaten run with a late try from Shoshanah Seumanutafa. The Canadian Press reported that the replacement’s score settled the WXV Global Series match, with Canada protecting their advantage through the closing stages to complete the victory on home soil.

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Seumanutafa went over after a run down the wing. Savannah Bauder, Alysha Corrigan and DaLeaka Menin also scored tries for Canada, while England’s tries came through Maddie Feaunati, Zoe Harrison and Sarah Bern. The hosts finished with four tries to England’s three, but the winning margin was only three points after the late change of lead.

The occasion also produced an attendance milestone. According to The Canadian Press, 18,621 spectators watched in cold, damp conditions, establishing a North American record for a standalone women’s rugby match. The previous record was 11,453, set in Ottawa when Canada defeated the United States 42-10 in a World Cup preparation match on August 1, 2025.

Canada’s comeback followed a difficult position at the interval: England led 14-5 at halftime, the Associated Press reported. That left the home team nine points behind before their second-half recovery. Seumanutafa’s decisive contribution completed the turnaround, denying England a win despite the substantial advantage they had carried into the break.

Rugby Canada’s team announcement had identified the Toronto fixture as the side’s first home appearance since finishing runners-up at the 2025 World Cup. Coach Kevin Rouet selected a squad featuring the return of captain Sophie de Goede and Asia Hogan-Rochester to the starting lineup after both missed the preceding match against France. Corrigan also returned to the starting side after missing September’s WXV matches through injury.

The meeting opened a two-match Canadian leg against the reigning world champions. Rugby Canada has confirmed that the teams will play again on October 23 at TD Place in Ottawa. The second fixture follows a Toronto homecoming that delivered both a Canadian victory and a new attendance benchmark for the women’s game in North America.