Canada Ends England's 41-Match Unbeaten Streak in Historic WXV Global Series Clash

England’s dominant 41-match unbeaten run in women’s rugby came to a dramatic conclusion in Toronto as Canada secured a historic 24-21 victory. The match, played before a record-breaking crowd of 18,621 spectators—the largest ever for a standalone women’s rugby fixture in North America—saw the hosts mount a late comeback to stun the Red Roses. Shoshanah Seumanutafa’s decisive try just three minutes from time sealed the win, marking England's first defeat since the 2022 World Cup final against New Zealand.

Despite England holding a 14-5 lead at half-time following tries from Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison, Canada remained resilient. The hosts capitalized on England’s disciplinary lapses, including a yellow card for Harrison early in the game. Canada’s scoring efforts were bolstered by tries from Savannah Bauder, Alysha Corrigan, and DaLeaka Menin. The victory represents a significant milestone for Canada, as it is their first win over England since 2016 and their first-ever home victory against the English side after 11 previous attempts.

This result is particularly notable given England’s recent era of unprecedented dominance in the international game. Before this loss, the Red Roses had remained undefeated since November 2022, establishing themselves as the clear benchmark in women’s rugby. Canada had previously signaled their growing threat by forcing a 26-26 draw against England in Exeter last September, but this latest performance confirms their status as a legitimate challenger to the global elite.

Looking ahead, the two nations are set to renew their rivalry in Ottawa on October 23. Following that encounter, England will conclude their 2026 WXV Global Series campaign with a match against the USA in New Jersey on October 30. For Canada, this victory serves as a massive confidence boost as they continue to climb the international rankings, while England must now regroup to address the tactical vulnerabilities exposed during this high-stakes encounter in Toronto.