Canada ended England’s 41-game unbeaten streak in women’s rugby with a dramatic 24-21 victory at BMO Field in Toronto. The match, which took place in front of a record crowd of 18,621 spectators, marked a historic moment for Canadian rugby as the team avenged their loss to England in last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
England started strong, establishing a 14-5 lead at halftime with tries from Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison. However, Canada capitalized on England’s struggles to convert key opportunities, including a yellow card issued to Harrison. Canadian player Savannah Bauder opened the scoring, and Alysha Corrigan’s solo try after halftime reduced the deficit further, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.
Despite Sarah Bern extending England’s lead, Canada’s relentless pressure paid off as DaLeaka Menin added another try. The decisive moment came in the closing minutes when Shoshanah Seumanutafa crossed the line, securing a 24-21 lead for Canada. The hosts held firm to claim an unforgettable victory, sparking celebrations among the team and their supporters.
England’s defeat is a significant turning point, ending their four-year dominance in international women’s rugby. Head coach John Mitchell acknowledged the importance of learning from the loss, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back. The two sides will face each other again next weekend, offering England a chance to recover and Canada an opportunity to build on their historic win.