Cokayne urges England to stay the course after Canada ends unbeaten run

England hooker Amy Cokayne has urged the Red Roses to keep faith with their approach after Canada ended their 41-match unbeaten run with a 24-21 victory in Toronto. In comments reported by BBC Sport on 19 October, the Sale player said England should not dwell on the defeat or treat it as a reason for wholesale change.

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Cokayne, who has 95 international caps, said England had not been far from the level required and did not need to fundamentally alter how they play. The defeat was their first since the 2022 World Cup final against New Zealand and their first under head coach John Mitchell, who took charge in late 2023.

Canada secured the win through a late try from replacement Shoshanah Seumanutafa, according to BBC Sport's match report. England had led 14-5 at half-time after tries from Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison cancelled out Savannah Bauder's opening score. Harrison also converted all three of England's tries during the match.

Alysha Corrigan scored for Canada after the interval before Sarah Bern restored England's nine-point advantage. DaLeaka Menin then crossed for a converted try just after the hour, bringing the hosts within reach. With three minutes remaining, Seumanutafa finished down the left wing after Canada launched an attack from halfway, completing the turnaround.

The result followed a 26-26 draw at Sandy Park in September, when Canada had already stopped England's 39-match winning streak. Toronto drew 18,621 spectators, a record for a standalone women's fixture in North America. It was Canada's first victory over England since 2016 and their first at home against the Red Roses, who had won their previous 11 visits.

BBC Sport's latest reporting also highlighted changes in England's personnel since their World Cup triumph last year. Regular captain Zoe Stratford, locks Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan, and back-rower Marlie Packer are absent, while wing Abby Dow has retired. Canada, coached by Kevin Rouet, have introduced new players too, including number eight Lizzie Gibson, who made her Test debut in April.