Canada ended England’s 41-match unbeaten streak with a thrilling 24-21 victory in a WXV women’s rugby international match at BMO Field in Toronto. The Canadian team, playing in front of a record crowd of 18,621 spectators, secured a historic win, marking a significant moment since their loss to England in the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
Despite a promising start from England, who led 14-5 at halftime with tries from Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison, Canada capitalized on key opportunities. Savannah Bauder opened the scoring for Canada following a yellow card to England’s Zoe Harrison. The Canadians fought back in the second half with a solo try from Alysha Corrigan, narrowing the gap.
England responded through Sarah Bern, but Canada’s persistent pressure and effective forward play kept the competition intense. DaLeaka Menin added another crucial try for Canada, setting the stage for Shoshanah Seumanutafa’s decisive try in the closing minutes that secured the victory for the hosts.
The win marked a turning point for England, ending their four-year dominance in international women’s rugby. England’s head coach, John Mitchell, acknowledged the defeat as an opportunity to learn and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back. Both teams are set to face each other again next weekend, providing England a chance to reclaim their stature while Canada aims to build on their significant achievement.