Canada beat England 24-21 to end Red Roses' 41-match unbeaten run

Canada defeated England 24-21 at Toronto's BMO Field on Friday, ending the Red Roses' 41-match unbeaten run in the WXV Global Series. According to The Canadian Press, replacement Shoshanah Seumanutafa scored the decisive late try as the hosts recovered from a nine-point half-time deficit to beat the world champions.

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Savannah Bauder opened Canada's scoring, but tries from Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison, both converted, gave England a 14-5 interval lead. Alysha Corrigan brought Canada back into contention after the break before Sarah Bern answered for England. DaLeaka Menin then scored for the hosts ahead of Seumanutafa's winning contribution.

The Canadian Press reported an attendance of 18,621, a North American record for a standalone women's rugby match. England's previous defeat had come against New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup final. Friday's result therefore ended an unbeaten sequence stretching back nearly four years.

Canada had already interrupted a different England streak earlier this autumn. Rugby Canada's report of the September 19 meeting in Exeter records a 26-26 draw that stopped the Red Roses' run of 39 consecutive wins. Menin scored twice in that match, while Olivia Apps supplied Canada's final try and Sophie de Goede's conversion brought the sides level. The Canadians then defended through the closing stages to preserve the draw.

Toronto also marked Canada's return to home competition after finishing runners-up at the 2025 World Cup. Rugby Canada's team announcement identified several changes for the occasion: captain de Goede and Asia Hogan-Rochester returned to the starting side after missing the France match, while Corrigan was selected to start for the first time since that World Cup. Taylor Perry moved to inside centre, with Alex Tessier taking the fly-half role.

The rivalry now moves to TD Place in Ottawa on October 23, the second Canadian fixture of the Rugby Rematch Tour. Rugby Canada's schedule places that game as the last of the teams' three meetings this autumn, following Exeter and Toronto. Canada will arrive having turned September's draw into an October victory, with England seeking a response on the final stop.