Key Highlights:
- Canada ended England’s 41-match unbeaten streak with a dramatic 24-21 victory in Toronto, sealed by a late try from Shoshanah Seumanutafa.
- The match set a record attendance for a standalone women’s rugby fixture in North America, drawing 18,621 spectators.
- The defeat marks England head coach John Mitchell’s first loss since his late 2023 appointment and England’s first loss to Canada since 2016.
Canada Stuns England in Dramatic WXV Global Series Clash
In a historic encounter in Toronto, Canada brought England’s remarkable 41-match unbeaten run to an abrupt end with a thrilling 24-21 victory in the WXV Global Series. Playing before a crowd of 18,621 spectators—a new record for a standalone women’s rugby fixture in North America—the hosts fought back in the closing stages to secure their first victory over the Red Roses since 2016 and their first ever triumph against them on Canadian soil, ending England’s 11-match winning streak away in Canada.
England had not lost an international fixture since the Rugby World Cup final defeat to New Zealand in November 2022. Canada had already proven to be England’s toughest hurdle during this cycle, having previously halted the Red Roses’ 39-match outright winning run with a 26-26 draw in Exeter in September. This time, the Canadian side went one step further to inflict a monumental upset in the final minutes of the contest.
How the Match Unfolded in Toronto
Canada seized the early initiative in the 15th minute when Savannah Bauder crossed the whitewash to score the opening try while England fly-half Zoe Harrison was serving a yellow card. The Red Roses recovered their composure later in the first half during a sin-bin period for Canada’s Laetitia Royer. England struck back with tries from Maddie Feaunati and Harrison, who also converted both scores to hand the visitors a 14-5 advantage heading into the half-time break.
The second half delivered end-to-end drama. Canada narrowed the deficit courtesy of a stylish solo try from Alysha Corrigan, but England prop Sarah Bern quickly cancelled out the score to preserve a nine-point buffer for the visitors. Canada refused to back down, and just after the hour mark, prop DaLeaka Menin powered over the line for a converted try, setting up a high-stakes finale. With only three minutes remaining on the clock, Canada launched a decisive attack from halfway after a loose ball pressured Harrison’s exit kick, allowing replacement back Shoshanah Seumanutafa to sprint down the left wing and seal a famous comeback victory.
John Mitchell Urges Red Roses to “Find Something More”
The defeat marked the first loss for England head coach John Mitchell since he took charge of the national team in late 2023. Addressing the setback, Mitchell emphasized that the squad must use the rare defeat as a learning opportunity rather than a reason to abandon their identity.
We’re disappointed by the result but there was some very good things in our performance. So we’ll stick to our processes,
said Mitchell. I guess [the loss] frees us up and allows us to find more. I know this group has got more in them. Sometimes it requires the context that we’ve just received to dig deeper and find something more.
Why This Matters
England’s 41-match unbeaten streak stood as one of the most dominant runs in the history of international rugby. Canada’s victory fundamentally shifts the competitive landscape of the women’s game, proving that the world’s top-ranked side can be toppled ahead of major international tournaments. Furthermore, drawing over 18,000 supporters in Toronto represents a major commercial and cultural breakthrough for women’s rugby union in North America.
England will have an immediate opportunity to respond when they renew their rivalry with Canada in Ottawa on Friday, 23 October (early Saturday morning UK time). The Red Roses will then conclude their 2026 WXV Global Series campaign against the United States in New Jersey on Friday, 30 October at 21:15 GMT.
Frequently Asked Questions
When had England’s Red Roses last lost a match?
Prior to this match, England’s last defeat came in November 2022, when they were edged out by New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final. Their 41-match unbeaten streak had spanned almost four years.
Has Canada ever beaten England in Canada before?
No. While Canada defeated England in 2016 at a neutral venue, this 24-21 victory marked Canada’s first-ever win over England on home soil, snapping an 11-match streak of away victories for the Red Roses in Canada.
What are the upcoming fixtures for England in the WXV Global Series?
England will face Canada once again in Ottawa on Friday, 23 October, before travelling to New Jersey to face the USA on Friday, 30 October.
