Canada stuns England with late try to halt record rugby streak

UPDATE - follow-up to England's 41-match unbeaten run ended by Canada: Shoshanah Seumanutafa scored a dramatic late try three minutes from time to hand Canada a 24-21 victory over England in Toronto, ending the Red Roses' 41-match unbeaten streak. A crowd of 18,621 fans watched the match, setting a new attendance record for a standalone women's fixture in North America.

Match Details

Canada opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Savannah Bauder while Zoe Harrison was in the sin-bin. England bounced back before half-time with tries from Maddie Feaunati and Harrison, giving the visitors a 14-5 lead at the break while Laetitia Royer served a yellow card for Canada. Alysha Corrigan scored a stylish solo try for the hosts early in the second half, but Sarah Bern replied for England to restore a nine-point lead. DaLeaka Menin then crashed over for a converted score just after the hour mark. Late in the game, a handling error under pressure on a clearing kick gave Canada possession from the halfway line, allowing replacement Seumanutafa to charge down the left wing for the winning score.

Reactions

England head coach John Mitchell challenged his team to find something more after suffering his first defeat since taking charge in late 2023. Captain Meg Jones urged her side to stick together and remember they remain world champions and the top-ranked team. Meanwhile, Canadian captain Sophie de Goede celebrated her team finding a way to win, and scrum-half Justine Pelletier highlighted the significance of the home crowd and the overall performance.

Context

This defeat is England's first loss since falling to New Zealand in the World Cup final in November 2022, and their first defeat against Canada since 2016. The two teams will meet again in Ottawa on Friday, 23 October, before England finish their WXV Global Series against the USA in New Jersey on Friday, 30 October.