Canada inflict back-to-back losses on England
Tries: Feaunati, Cokayne, Sing Cons: Harrison, Sing Pens: Harrison
Head coach John Mitchell said England need a “new stimulus” after losing 31-22 to Canada in the WXV Series in Ottawa to suffer back-to-back defeats for the first time in a decade.
The hosts ran in five tries to England’s three, including a hat-trick for captain Sophie de Goede, as they backed up last weekend’s 24-21 win in Toronto, which ended the Red Roses’ 41-match unbeaten streak, with another statement victory.
It completes a 2-0 series win for Canada after the two sides also shared a 26-26 draw in Exeter in September.
After losing multiple matches in a calendar year for the first time since 2016, world champions England head into their meeting with the USA in New Jersey next Friday (21:15 GMT) hoping to avoid three consecutive losses for the first time since 2013.
England made a promising start, Maddie Feaunati crashing over from close range inside 10 minutes, but Canada hit back twice in quick succession through Julia Omokhuale and De Goede to lead 12-7 at the break.
Zoe Harrison kicked a penalty early in the second half before England turned to their driving maul to overturn the deficit, Amy Cokayne walking in their second score.
However, De Goede restored her side’s lead three minutes later and completed her hat-trick just after the hour-mark before Savannah Bauder danced down the left wing to put Canada out of sight.
Emma Sing bagged a consolation try for England in the 80th minute.
“Perhaps we have become a little bit predictable,” said Mitchell, who arrived in Canada unbeaten as England head coach. “Definitely I’ll have to create with the girls the new stimulus in the new year.
“Test matches of this quality, the best teams in the world, it always comes down to execution. We presented ourselves many an opportunity and we just didn’t quite execute.”
Lack of TMO a ‘turning point’ – Mitchell
This series has been a landmark occasion for women’s rugby, with a record crowd for a standalone women’s fixture in North America in attendance in Toronto last weekend for Canada’s first home match since August 2025.
The Maple Leafs had not beaten England since 2016 and had never done so on home soil. Now, they have done it twice in a row.
But for all the positives, both for Canada and the growth of women’s rugby, Mitchell called for “improved standards” around officiating, with connection issues to the television match official (TMO) influencing a “turning point” in the match.
Heading into the final 20 minutes, with the match evenly poised 19-17 in Canada’s favour, England winger Jess Breach’s eyes lit up as she intercepted a pass from Justine Pelletier.
The park opened up in front of her for a try which would have moved her into joint-second in the all-time list for England women, but she was pulled back mid-stride for being offside.
Moments later, De Goede scored Canada’s fourth to put them seven points ahead.
“The game potentially needs an improved standard with TMO,” said Mitchell. “There was no TMO connection tonight and I think Jess’ intercept was probably a turning point that could have influenced the match.
“There has been a TMO in the two Test matches but there has been no connection in the stadium. We’ve definitely got to improve on that. These games are so meaningful and there’s going to be situation where they can be major turning points. The girls deserve quality decision-making.”
De Goede underlines world’s best status
De Goede got her hands on the Utrecht Shield following Canada’s win
In the aftermath of Canada’s World Cup final defeat by England last September, De Goede received her women’s player of the year gong. Hoisted onto her team-mates’ shoulders, she held the trophy aloft, albeit probably not the one she wanted to have her hands on in the moment.
She saw off competition from England’s Meg Jones and New Zealand’s Jorja Miller to become only the second Canadian – man or woman – to win the accolade in 15s.
Against England over the past six weeks, she has demonstrated why she is among the best in the world.
It was her break down the left wing in Exeter which set up Olivia Apps’ game-levelling try.
In Ottawa, her versatility was on full display. She charged down the left wing as Senft’s support runner for her first try, capitalised on a lapse in concentration from the other 29 players on the park to pick up a loose ball for her second – even having time to raise her arm in celebration, and dotted over for a classic second-row score from a maul to round out her performance.
Kicking from her signature red tee – another example of the rising profile of the sport in Canada – she made eight of her 13 conversion attempts across the series. The two she missed in Ottawa were from the left touchline.
Line-ups
Canada: Bauder; Corrigan, Symonds, Seumanutafa, Hogan-Rochester; Perry, Apps; Nelson, Idowu, Menin, De Goede (c), Royer, Senft, Omokhuale, Gibson.
Replacements: Tuttosi, Kassil, Rempel, Forteza, Buisa, Crossley, Pelletier, Tessier.
England: Sing; Breach, Jones (c), Rowland, Venner; Harrison, L Packer; Botterman, Cokayne, Bern, Talling, Ives Campion, Burton, Kabeya, Feaunati.
Replacements: Field, Carson, Muir, Short, Matthews, Robinson, Aitchison, Kildunne.
Officials
Assistant referees: Luke Rogan (USA) & Amelia Luciano (USA)
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