Canada beat England 31-22 to seal back-to-back wins over world champions

Canada beat England 31-22 in Ottawa on Friday to complete successive victories over the women's world champions in the WXV Global Series. The Canadian Press reported that the result was England's first pair of consecutive defeats since 2016, following Canada's 24-21 win in Toronto a week earlier.

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The hosts had to recover from an early deficit at TD Place. Maddie Feaunati scored England's opening try, with Zoe Harrison converting, before Canada answered through Julia Omokhuale and captain Sophie de Goede. Canada reached half-time 12-7 ahead, leaving the visitors within one score after a closely contested opening period.

England moved back in front after the interval, with Amy Cokayne among their scorers, but Canada regained control. De Goede scored again and Savannah Bauder also crossed as the hosts built a 31-17 advantage. Emma Sing's late try reduced the margin without changing the outcome. The Canadian Press put the Ottawa attendance at 14,117, following the larger crowd that had watched the teams meet in Toronto.

The two home wins followed a breakthrough at BMO Field. According to Rugby Canada's report of that match, the 24-21 result was the national side's first home victory over England and ended the Red Roses' 41-match unbeaten run. Canada had trailed 14-5 at half-time in Toronto before second-half tries from Alysha Corrigan, DaLeaka Menin and Shoshanah Seumanutafa helped turn the game around in front of 18,621 spectators.

Coach Kevin Rouet made changes for the Ottawa meeting despite that success. Rugby Canada's team announcement confirmed Taylor Perry's return to fly-half, a start at inside centre for Seumanutafa and Gabrielle Senft's promotion to the starting side. Rouet said during the build-up that the previous win had still left areas to improve, with preparation focused on corrections alongside rest and recovery.

Ottawa concluded Canada's two-match home programme against England and the teams' third meeting of the autumn, according to Rugby Canada. The tour was Canada's first opportunity to play at home since finishing runners-up at the 2025 World Cup. It ended with another victory over the reigning champions, adding a second result to the breakthrough achieved in Toronto.