Canada Women Dominant in 64-26 Win Over Scotland: Next Up England
Canada’s formula is simple, put the best scrum half in the world on the field and match it with one of the top forward packs in the world and just be patient. Canada scored 10 tries, 5 were from the forward pack, 3 were from the scrum halves, 1 from the flyhalf, and 1 from the backline, the last try. When Canada can sort out their backline they’ll be #1 in the world. Olivia Apps is the top scrum half in the world in women’s rugby, and Justine Pelletier is not far behind. Canada’s forwards are relentless on attack and defence, it’s a winning combination.
The extended highlights and match reports from Rugby Canada and the BBC are posted below. Canada’s next match is against #1 England in Exeter, followed by #4 France in La Rochelle, and then Canada host England for two matches on Canadian soil in October in Toronto and Ottawa.
from Rugby Canada
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team kicked off its 2026 WXV1 campaign with a convincing 64-26 win over Scotland at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh. Olivia Apps was named Player of the Match after scoring two tries for Canada in her first game back with the Canadian 15s squad since last year’s Rugby World Cup.
“It was a good performance today,” said Head Coach Kevin Rouet. “Scoring 60 points is great against a top team like Scotland. We had a short preparation, but we can still be happy with our game out there today, but we know we aren’t a finished product yet.”
Rouet added: “Moving forward we will keep doing what we do on attack and keep doing what we do on defense and had some very good moments, but we can still refine some of the fine details of our game.”
Saturday’s match was the first of five WXV matches for Canada this fall, with the final two games of the schedule bringing Canada and England, the two sides that faced each other in the 2025 Rugby World Cup final, together for The Rugby Rematch Tour, presented by Canadian Tire, on October 16 at BMO Field and October 23 at TD Place. Tickets are available HERE.
First Half
Canada took a 31-12 lead into halftime against Scotland after a strong opening 40 minutes that saw the visitors score five tries.
Lizzie Gibson, with her first try in a Canadian jersey, opened the scoring after several phases of pressure inside the Scottish 22-metre, with fullback Claire Gallagher adding the conversion. Apps then crossed in the corner for her first of two following a Scotland turnover to make it 12-0.
The Scottish responded with a try from a lineout maul, but Gibson’s second restored Canada’s momentum shortly after to put the Canadians up 19-7.
Charity Williams appeared to score on her Canadian 15s debut, but the try was overturned following a TMO review for a knock-on a few phases earlier. Canada continued to press with Brittany Kassil and Julia Omokhuale adding tries to extend the lead to 31-7 going into the halftime break.
Second Half
Canada picked up right where they left off with Taylor Perry splitting two defenders to score the first try of the second half for the red and white. Apps then added her second of the match, with Gallagher converting both to help put her side up 45-12.
The Canadians were reduced to 13 players after Gabrielle Senft and Brittany Kassil were shown yellow cards within five minutes of each other, with Kassil’s card later upgraded to a 20-minute red. Scotland capitalized on their two-player advantage, scoring twice to cut the deficit to 52-26. Despite being down two players, reserve scrum-half Justine Pelletier immediately made an impact after coming onto the field, directing Canada down the pitch before diving over for a try to restore momentum.
Senft came back on the field and added a try in the 75th minute before Savannah Bauder scored on her Canadian debut in the 79th minute, helping Canada break the 60-point mark and secure the 64-26 victory over Scotland.
CANADA SCORING SUMMARY
Tries: Lizzie Gibson (2), Olivia Apps (2), Brittany Kassil, Julia Omokhuale, Taylor Perry, Justine Pelletier, Gabrielle Senft, Savannah Bauder
Conversions: Claire Gallagher (7)
A WORD FROM CAPTAIN ALEX TESSIER
“It was the first game of the tournament so obviously it wasn’t perfect, but it was a good start. I think we showed dominance in the set piece and in open play as well. We put a lot of points on the board against a top team, so there are a lot of things to be proud of and definitely proud of our new girls. The new caps did amazing tonight on attack and just added a massive impact.”
“We have amazing athletes but also now we have amazing athletes that are amazing rugby players. We play fast and read the game fast. We are lucky to have such a strong pack and forwards that aren’t just strong but agile and physical. It’s an amazing combo.”
UP NEXT FOR CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM
Canada now turns their attention to the first of three games against England this fall. The first rematch of the 2025 Rugby World Cup final takes place next week in Exeter, England, with kickoff set for 7:00 a.m. PT / 10:00 a.m. ET. The match will be broadcast live on TSN and TSN Premium.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS SCOTLAND
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Ontario West / Guelph Goats (56 caps)
2. Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds / Toronto Scottish (3 caps)
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Exeter Chiefs / Calgary Hornets (72 caps)
4. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds (7 caps)
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University (25 caps)
6. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Saracens / Calgary Irish Rugby Club (9 caps)
7. Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders (2 caps)
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Stade Bordelais / Castaway Wanderers (43 caps)
9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Saracens / Lindsay RFC (25 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (26 caps)
11. Charity Williams (Toronto, ON) – Markham Irish (uncapped)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Exeter Chiefs / Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (68 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds (18 caps)
14. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Loughborough Lightning / Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Westshore RFC (19 caps)
15. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Ealing Trailfinders / Aurora Barbarians (22 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets (44 caps)
17. Sophie McDonald (Ottawa, ON) – Ontario East / University of Ottawa / Ottawa Rugby Club (uncapped)
18. Brooke Rempel (Ariss, ON) – Loughborough Lightning / Ontario West / Brantford Harlequins (2 caps)
19. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Saracens / Castaway Wanderers (44 caps)
20. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Loughborough Lightning / Ottawa Irish (21 caps)
21. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Stade Bordelais / Club de rugby de Québec (46 caps)
22. Savannah Bauder (North Vancouver, BC) – UBC Thunderbirds / Capilano RFC (uncapped)
23. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (11 caps)
from BBC
World Cup finalists Canada proved too strong for Scotland as they ran in 10 tries to register a resounding win in their WXV Series opener in Edinburgh.
Canada struck early when a brilliant offload from hooker Kiki Idowu found Rachel Smith on the charge and left the Scottish defence scrambling.
The 2025 World Cup runners-up held out for multiple phases on their own line before Lizzie Gibson found the gap to dive over for the opening try.
They quickly scored a second when scrum-half Olivia Apps darted over in the corner.
Scotland needed a response and they got it when Evie Gallagher – on her first Test appearance since last year’s World Cup – blasted over from close range to bring the hosts back within five points.
The response was swift, however, as Gibson sliced through for her second try to re-establish Canada’s 12-points lead.
Brittanny Kassil – who would receive a 20-minute red card after the break for a high shot on Meryl Smith – and Julia Omokhuale blasted over from close range for two tries in quick succession as the Canadians started to flex their muscles.
The Scots gave the home crowd something to cheer with their second try.
Debutant Rhea Clarke did brilliantly to strip opposite number Apps in contact. She set Gallagher free and she held off two tackles before finding Shona Campbell on her shoulder to score.
Fly-half Taylor Perry extinguished any hopes of a Scottish fightback as she sliced through the midfield untouched for Canada’s sixth try early in the second half.
The Scots were tiring and Apps carved them open with a lovely little show-and-go to streak away and go in under the sticks.
Hooker Lana Skeldon burrowed over for Scotland’s third try, but substitute Justine Pelletier responded in kind almost immediately.
Helen Nelson dinked a wonderful little kick over the Canada defence and into the arms of Rhona Lloyd to go over for Scotland’s fourth, but Gabrielle Senft powered over and substitute Savannah Bauder scored a fabulous individual try on her Test debut to ensure Canada had the last word.
The Scots face New Zealand at Hive Stadium next Saturday (17:10 BST), while Canada face England at Sandy Park in a re-run of last year’s World Cup final on the same day (15:00).
Scotland: C Rollie, R Lloyd, R Phillips, M Smith, S Campbell, H Nelson, R Clarke; L Bartlett, L Skeldon, E Clarke, E Wassell, H Cunningham, R Malcolm (c), E Gallagher, B Boyd.
Replacements: A Sutcliffe, A young, M Poolman, E Donaldson, A Ferrie, C Ainsworth, H Ramsay, K Buchanan.
Canada: C Gallagher, F Bermudez, F Symonds, A Tessier (c), C Williams, T Perry, O Apps; B Kassil, K Idowu, D Menin, R Smith, L Royer, J Omokhuale, L Gibson, G Senft.
Replacements: E Tuttosi, S McDonald, B Rempel, S De Goede, P Buisa, J Pelletier, S Bauder, A Hogan-Rochester.
Canada Women Face Scotland on Saturday – Coach Rouet Names 23
Canada ranked #3 in the world visits #7 Scotland for a match on Saturday, kickoff is 8:10pm PT. Canada have gone with a 5/3 bench which includes Sophie de Goede as a reserve forward. Savannah Bauder is set to get her first XVs cap from the bench. Charity Williams gets her first cap as starting wing. The interim head coach for Scotland is David Butcher who was the Queen’s men’s XVs coach for six years, he was also used as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s national team programs. Previous to coming to Canada in 2015 he worked for the Scottish Rugby Union.
from Rugby Canada
Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team, Kevin Rouet, has selected the 23-player roster that will take on Scotland this Saturday at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. Kickoff for Canada’s opening match of the 2026 WXV Global Series campaign is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. PT / 11:10 p.m. ET and will be available to watch on TSN for rugby fans across Canada.
Canada and Scotland last met in the final match of pool play at the 2025 Rugby World Cup, with the Canadians coming away with a 40-19 win to finish top of the pool.
“We had a good week of preparation in Ireland last week which has carried over as we get ready for Scotland on Saturday,” said Rouet. “As I have mentioned before, these games are very important for us to be able to give younger players experience at the international level while also making sure we field a team that gives us the best chance to win. It’s the first match of WXV for both teams, it should be a great game.”
Sophie de Goede will be available off the bench this weekend for Canada after a prior commitment related to her master’s degree caused her to miss a few days of practice this week. Alexandra Tessier will assume the role of captain for this week’s match against Scotland.
Saturday’s match will be the first of three in Europe for the Canadian women before they return home to play in Toronto and Ottawa this October marking the first time the team will play on home soil since placing second in the 2025 Rugby World Cup. The Rugby Rematch Tour, presented by Canadian Tire, will feature Canada, currently third in the world, facing off against world champion England on October 16 at BMO Field and October 23 and TD Place. Tickets are available HERE.
THREE CANADIANS IN LINE TO MAKE THEIR DEBUT
Two-time Olympic medalist and HSBC SVNS Series star Charity Williams will make her debut in a 15s jersey for Canada following a long and decorated career with Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team. Savannah Bauder, who made her debut for Canada on the SVNS Series in 2024, will also look to make her international debut in the 15s game.
Having experience with a variety of Canada’s age-grade programs and currently playing at the University of Ottawa, Sophie McDonald will look to earn her first cap as an option off the bench for Canada.
“It’s always exciting to see players earn their first cap for Canada,” Rouet added. “Myself, the players and staff are all very excited to see what these three can do on the field. Charity obviously has had a very successful sevens career, Savannah is just getting started in hers but has been excellent, and Sophie performed well during the QORC (Quebec Ontario Rugby Championship). All will bring their own flair to the game on Saturday and will give us a chance to win.”
WHERE TO WATCH
Coverage of Canada’s WXV Global Series match against Scotland will be available on TSN starting at 8:10pm PT / 11:10pm ET.
CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS SCOTLAND
1. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Ontario West / Guelph Goats (56 caps)
2. Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds / Toronto Scottish (3 caps)
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Exeter Chiefs / Calgary Hornets (72 caps)
4. Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds (7 caps)
5. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University (25 caps)
6. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Saracens / Calgary Irish Rugby Club (9 caps)
7. Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Queen’s University / Oakville Crusaders (2 caps)
8. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Stade Bordelais / Castaway Wanderers (43 caps)
9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Saracens / Lindsay RFC (25 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders (26 caps)
11. Charity Williams (Toronto, ON) – Markham Irish (uncapped)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Exeter Chiefs / Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (68 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – Loughborough Lightning / UBC Thunderbirds (18 caps)
14. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – Loughborough Lightning / Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Westshore RFC (19 caps)
15. Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Ealing Trailfinders / Aurora Barbarians (22 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets (44 caps)
17. Sophie McDonald (Ottawa, ON) – Ontario East / University of Ottawa / Ottawa Rugby Club (uncapped)
18. Brooke Rempel (Ariss, ON) – Loughborough Lightning / Ontario West / Brantford Harlequins (2 caps)
19. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Saracens / Castaway Wanderers (44 caps)
20. Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Loughborough Lightning / Ottawa Irish (21 caps)
21. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Stade Bordelais / Club de rugby de Québec (46 caps)
22. Savannah Bauder (North Vancouver, BC) – UBC Thunderbirds / Capilano RFC (uncapped)
23. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (11 caps)