Canada Draw With England 26-26 – Ending England’s 39 Game Winning Streak
Canada’s last win against England came in 2016, they’ve lost to England the last 14 times and England has a 39 game winning streak against the world. Canada brought that to an end with a draw on Saturday. It was a back and forth match with the game tied at 19-19 at the half. England scored first in the second half, Canada tied it up with 20 minutes left in the match. The last quarter was scoreless and Canada decided to accept the draw by kicking the ball into touch while inside their 22. They’ll have two more cracks at England in Canada next month and they still have France to play on this tour. Below are the video highlights, the Rugby Canada report and the Canada player rankings by Planet Rugby.
Match Highlights
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team secures a 26-26 draw against England in front of a 14,000 sold-out crowd in Exeter on Saturday afternoon. The result means England’s 39-game winning streak comes to an end at the hands of the Canadians.
“I like that post-match the team isn’t content with a draw. I wish we could’ve secured that win against England, but we’ll take the draw for today,” said Kevin Rouet, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team. “I’m very proud of the defence today. I think we spent the last 20 minutes defending the line, and it was good to see that effort. The mindset is there, and while we often praise our attack; today, I want to praise our defence in that key moment. I think it’s amazing to see the girls rising on both sides of the play.”
Saturday’s match was the first of three matches against England for the Canadian women this fall, with the next two games being played at home in Toronto and Ottawa this October. The matches will mark the first time the team plays on home soil since placing second at last year’s Rugby World Cup. The Rugby Rematch Tour, presented by Canadian Tire, will see Canada face England on October 16 at BMO Field in Toronto and October 23 at TD Place in Ottawa.
FAST AND PHYSICAL RIGHT OFF THE TOP
Playing in front of a sold-out crowd of over 14,000, the match started with a physical edge and quick action. At the 6th minute, following an English knock-on, Canada capitalized on a strong scrum to set up a big carry from Kiki Idowu, allowing Lizzie Gibson to cross for her first try of the match and third of the WXV Global Series, putting Canada up 5-0.
England responded in the 10th minute when fly-half Zoe Harrison skipped the ball wide to winger Claudia Moloney-Macdonald for a diving try to tie it 5-5.
After a massive 13th-minute turnover and steal at the lineout by Rachel Smith, Canada executed phase after phase of fast-paced play, resulting in prop DaLeaka Menin picking and going over the line in the 15th minute. Captain Sophie de Goede added her first conversion to extend the lead to 12-5.
England clawed back when prop Hannah Botterman crossed to level the score at 12-12 six minutes later with Harrison converting the kick. Following disallowed tries on both sides, England struck again in the 34th minute as Moloney-Macdonald found a gap to make it 17-12, followed by Harrison’s second conversion for 19-12.
Canada answered right before the break after a driving maul and relentless pick-and-go pressure led to Menin’s second try of the match at the 40th minute, which de Goede successfully converted to send the teams into half-time tied 19-19.
DEFENSIVE SHOWCASE ON DISPLAY
The second half opened with quick ball movement across the Canadian line, featuring sharp runs from Olivia Apps, Florence Symonds, and Charity Williams, though England’s heavy defense kept pushing Canada back.
At the 54th minute, England capitalized on a driving maul from a 5m lineout, with Bryony Field diving across to make it 24-19 before Harrison added her third and final conversion for 26-19.
Canada answered immediately in the 58th minute when a strong run and double fend from de Goede set up Olivia Apps to score right between the posts; de Goede slotted her third conversion to tie the game once more at 26-26.
As the clock ticked down, both sides traded pressure and ferocious defense. Canada’s defense repeatedly held firm under intense pressure, highlighted by a massive tackle from Apps that forced England into touch, and a clutch 73rd-minute turnover won by Taylor Perry and Justine Pelletier just as England creeped closer to Canada’s line.
After managing one final defensive stand following a late English lineout that put Canada at their 22 for a scrum in the 81st minute, Canada kicked the ball out to officially end the match in a hard-fought 26-26 draw, capped by Menin earning Player of the Match.
CANADA SCORING SUMMARY
Tries: Lizzie Gibson (1), DaLeaka Menin (2), Olivia Apps (1)
Conversions: Sophie de Goede (3)
A WORD FROM CAPTAIN SOPHIE DE GOEDE
“There’s some frustration as I know we left some on the board, but also a lot of pride. Especially the way we defended in the last 20 minutes. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it today, but I think we’re well on our way to prove that we can.
We get to play them at home in Canada. We know the crowd’s going to turn up in Toronto and Ottawa, so that will be good energy to go in and level the score.”
UP NEXT FOR CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM
Canada now turns their attention to France next week on September 26 in La Rochelle. Kickoff set for 8:45 a.m. PT / 11:45 a.m. ET. The match will be broadcast live on TSN and TSN Premium.
Canada Player Ratings by Planet Rugby (Jack Tunney)
Canada drew 26-26 with England on Saturday in World Rugby’s WXV1, in what can only be described as a game for the ages.
Here are our Canada player ratings.
Backs
15 Claire Gallagher: In the first half, she booted the ball out on the full under no real pressure, and struggled to get into the game as it went on. Made a couple of clever kicks, but generally sub-standard compared to her normally high standards. 4
14 Asia Hogan-Rochester: Forced to work hard with little space, but excelled when presented with a gap. Scored an absolute worldie midway through the first half, bouncing off three would-be defenders, but the score was chalked off due to a forward pass in the build-up. Easy to see why she’s so dominant against weaker sides. 8
13 Florence Symonds: Such a mixed back for the outside centre. Four missed tackles isn’t good reading for anyone. But she carried the ball incredibly well, beating four defenders and making 51 metres from just seven carries – no one can complain about that efficiency. 7
12 Alex Tessier: Forced to use her boot a lot – 15 times to be exact. She didn’t do anything to stain her day, carried well when she needed to, but generally just played the territory game well. 7
11 Charity Williams: Didn’t touch the ball too often, but did get the opportunity to stretch her legs at times, which she did with distinction. Could do with venturing inside to look for the ball more in future. 5
10 Taylor Perry: A brilliant running game at times, but just failed to get on the ball enough. All the direction came from nine, with Perry often translucent in attack. 6
9 Olivia Apps: The veteran scrum-half looked lively throughout, controlling the attack and giving a great variation of passing. Was key in both of Menin’s tries, and scored her own under the posts to level the score. 8
Forwards
8 Lizzie Gibson: The versatile back-rower cleverly spotted the gap to score Canada’s opener and made plenty of tackles in the first half, faded in the second, however. 6
7 Julia Omokhuale: Absolutely everywhere, making 19 tackles, solid in the lineout, and a nightmare opponent on the England throw. 8
6 Rachel Smith: Made a huge opening hit, and continued in the same vein, leading the Canadian tackle chart with nine by the end of the first half. Switched to attacking mode in the second, being used as a key ball carrier before being brought off with 15 minutes left on the clock. 8
5 Laetitia Royer: Made an impressive break early on, but from then on had just one thing in mind: tackles, tackles, and more tackles. Solid. 6
4 Sophie de Goede: Her 25th appearance as captain. She did her fair share in defence, but her shining moment came as an incredible break down the left-hand side, palming off two defenders to set Apps up for her try. 7
3 DaLeaka Menin: Her 14th try for Canada came midway through the first half, barrelling over from close range, and her 15th came at the end of the half in very much the same manner. Performed excellently in the lineout and made a couple of excellent turnovers on the England ball. 8
2 Kiki Idowu: Her powerful leg drive led to the first score, and her darts – although not perfect – were solid in the lineout. She did everything expected of her and kept herself busy with 14 carries and an extraordinary 21 tackles, and lasted the full 80 minutes. 9
1 Mikiela Nelson: A quiet showing really, but her work in the scrum was excellent as always. Nothing to complain too heavily about. 5
Replacements: They weathered the English attack well, defending with all their might. They’ll be disappointed not to have added any attacking nous to proceedings, but securing the draw will go down as a victory in their eyes. 7
Kevin Rouet Names Match 23 to Face England: Sophie de Goede Returns to Starting XV
Canada last defeated #1 England on July 1st 2016 in Utah, 52-17. Since then they’ve lost 14 times, including the World Cup final last year. Canada will get two more cracks at them this year when they host England in Toronto and Ottawa in October. Coach Kevin Rouet has only made a few changes from the Scotland game, Sophie de Goede moves from the bench to starting second row, moving Rachel Smith to blindside flanker and Lizzie Gibson to #8. Gibson was outstanding against Scotland. Loosehead prop Brittany Kassil received a two game ban for a red card so Mikiela Nelson gets the start. The only other change in the starting XV is Asia Hogan-Rochester replaces Fancy Bermudez on the wing. On the bench Gillian Boag replaces Emily Tuttosi as reserve hooker and Fabiola Forteza comes into the reserves as Canada switches from a 5/3 to a 6/2 bench for the England match.
from Rugby Canada
In a rematch of the 2025 Rugby World Cup final, Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team will take on England this Saturday September 19 at Sandy Park in Exeter. Head coach Kevin Rouet has selected Canada’s match day roster for the first meeting between the two sides since 82,000 fans gathered inside Allianz Stadium in London last year, setting a record for the largest crowd at a women’s rugby match in history. The game will be broadcast live on TSN5 and the TSN app, starting at 7:00 a.m. PT / 10:00 a.m. ET.
“It’s always an exciting challenge to go against England,” said Rouet. “This is why you coach and play, to test yourself against the best. Playing England in England is never easy but this is the first of three opportunities we have to play against them, the next two will be in Canada so this week is another step in our journey to test ourselves and make sure we are ready to perform in Canada in front of our fans.”
Saturday’s match will be the first of three matches against England for the Canadian women this fall, with the next two games being played at home in Toronto and Ottawa this October. The matches will mark the first time the team plays on home soil since placing second at last year’s Rugby World Cup. The Rugby Rematch Tour, presented by Canadian Tire, will see Canada face England on October 16 at BMO Field in Toronto and October 23 at TD Place in Ottawa.
Sophie de Goede returns to the starting fifteen at lock and will captain the Canadian side once again, marking the 25th time in her international career. De Goede’s return moves Rachel Smith from the second row to the back row, where she will join Julia Omokhuale and Lizzie Gibson, who scored twice for Canada last week against Scotland.
After earning her first 15s cap last weekend, two-time Olympic medalist Charity Williams retains her spot in the starting fifteen, opposite Asia Hogan-Rochester, who scored both of Canada’s tries in last year’s World Cup final against England and has tallied 10 tries in 12 appearances in her career for the Canadian 15s squad.
Canada’s Brittany Kassil was unavailable for selection after a red card she received in last week’s game against Scotland resulted in a two-game ban, forcing her to miss Canada’s final two September fixtures in Europe against England and France.
WHERE TO WATCH
Coverage of Canada’s WXV Global Series match against England will be available on TSN5 and the TSN app starting at 7:00am PT / 10:00am ET on Saturday September 19.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS ENGLAND
1. Mikiela Nelson (Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC (12 caps)
2. Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds / Toronto Scottish (4 caps)
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Exeter Chiefs / Calgary Hornets (73 caps)
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Saracens / Castaway Wanderers (45 caps)
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University (26 caps)
6. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds (8 caps)
7. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Saracens / Calgary Irish Rugby Club (10 caps)
8. Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders (3 caps)
9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Saracens / Lindsay RFC (26 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (27 caps)
11. Charity Williams (Toronto, ON) – Markham Irish (1 cap)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Exeter Chiefs / Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (69 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds (19 caps)
14. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (12 caps)
15. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Ealing Trailfinders / Aurora Barbarians (23 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC (39 caps)
17. Sophie McDonald (Ottawa, ON) – Ontario East / University of Ottawa / Ottawa Rugby Club (1 cap)
18. Brooke Rempel (Ariss, ON) – Loughborough Lightning / Ontario West / Brantford Harlequins (3 caps)
19. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Stade Bordelais / Club de rugby de Québec
20. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Loughborough Lightning / Ottawa Irish (22 caps)
21. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Stade Bordelais / Castaway Wanderers (44 caps)
22. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Stade Bordelais / Club de rugby de Québec (47 caps)
23. Savannah Bauder (North Vancouver, BC) – UBC Thunderbirds / Capilano RFC (1 cap)