In a historic showdown witnessed by the largest crowd in North American women’s rugby, Canada ended England’s remarkable 41-game unbeaten streak with a 24-21 victory in Toronto. The intense WXV match saw Canada trailing 14-5 at halftime and 21-12 after an hour, only securing the win with a late try by Shoshanah Seumanutafa in the 78th minute.
Canada captain Sophie de Goede highlighted the team’s resilience, stating, “We really had to grind it out and find a way. That’s kind of the DNA of our team.” This defeat marked England’s first loss since the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup final, breaking a streak of 72 matches undefeated since 2019.
The match drew a record crowd of 18,621 spectators, 7,000 more than any previous standalone women’s rugby game in North America. Despite England’s early missed opportunities, Canada capitalized on their chances, especially after a yellow card to Zoe Harrison, scoring a crucial try during a numerical advantage.
Both teams displayed fierce determination throughout the game, with Canada narrowing the gap to 14-12 in the second half before England extended their lead to 21-12. However, Canada’s persistence paid off as they rallied back, with DaLeaka Menin and Shoshanah Seumanutafa scoring vital tries to secure the historic win.
The two teams will face off again in Ottawa next Friday in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
