TORONTO – Canada’s women’s rugby squad has touched down in Toronto this week, preparing to square up against England in a highly anticipated two-match series that serves as both redemption and reckoning. The Brits will face their arch-rivals at BMO Field on Friday, with a second clash scheduled for October 23 in Ottawa, aiming to break England’s record-breaking 39-match winning streak on home soil.
The memory of last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final still burns brightly for Canada’s players. After a commanding performance that saw them dismantle Australia and New Zealand en route to the decider, the Canadians thought they had secured a historic triumph at Twickenham. Asia Hogan-Rochester’s fifth-minute try had them roaring in front of a world-record 82,000-strong crowd, only for England to surge back and claim a 33-13 victory in what became their third world title.
The Weight of Revenge
Forwards leader Sophie de Goede, who lifted the tournament’s best player trophy, admitted the sting of defeat remains fresh. “There’s something very raw there that’s still bubbling away,” she said. “It’s now like, ‘How do we use these next four years to chase that and to go one step further?’”
The emotional scar was further highlighted during Canada’s previous meeting with England in Exeter last month, where a 26-26 draw marked the first time the hosts had ended England’s legendary unbeaten run. While the result was a silver lining, it also underscored just how close Canada came to lifting the trophy they had worked so ardously to win.
Rising Profile and Global Recognition
The 2025 World Cup campaign has transformed the Canadian women’s game, elevating not only their international standing but also the visibility of players across the globe. Since returning from abroad for the tournament’s launch of their docu-series *All Heart: A Rugby Story*, the squad has basked in unprecedented recognition.
“Even though it was eight months on, the amount of support and recognition of the team and myself—just people saying, ‘Oh my God, I watch the game. I love rugby. My daughter’s playing now. My son’s playing now’—it’s been mind-blowing,” de Goede reflected during the series’ Toronto premiere.
Her teammate Paige Farries echoed the sentiment, noting that admiration for the team has transcended national borders. “We went to Portugal afterwards, and people literally recognised us in Portugal,” she said. “So we kind of felt that excitement build during the World Cup, but certainly afterwards as well.”
Professional Pathways Abroad
The momentum generated by the World Cup has opened doors for Canadian players in elite overseas leagues, particularly in England’s Premiership Women’s Rugby. Scrum-half Olivia Apps joined Saracens shortly after the tournament and went on to win the PWR championship, earning player-of-the-season honours. Similarly, Hogan-Rochester secured a contract with Sale Sharks, citing the World Cup as a pivotal moment that showcased Canadian women’s rugby as more than just athleticism—it demonstrated innovation, skill, and strategic intelligence.
“One hundred per cent,” she said when asked if the World Cup changed her career trajectory. “But the World Cup really opened doors for Canadian women’s rugby to say we’re not just really athletic people. We know rugby, we’re innovative, and we are assets to whatever team you’re going to have us on.”
McKinley Hunt, who played for Saracens before starring at the World Cup, agreed. “The perception of Canadian players overseas has always been very positive, but I think there’s now been a renewed belief in our true capability,” she said. “It isn’t just a standalone player who’s joined a programme and been valued for that individual contribution—it’s seen more collectively as Canadians are a force to be reckoned with.”
Star try-scorer Julia Schell, who blazed a trail for Canada by finding the net six times against Fiji in the opening match, believes the impact of the World Cup performance extends far beyond the pitch. She recently encountered the president of Scottish Rugby at an event, who singled out Canada’s 34-19 upset of New Zealand as one of the finest matches of rugby she’d ever witnessed.
“I said to him after, ‘Like honestly that was the best game of rugby I’ve ever played in,’” Schell recalled. “So it is cool to see someone with such standing acknowledge that, especially on the women’s side.”
Looking Ahead to 2029
With the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup set to take place in Australia, the current squad is already laying the groundwork for another historic run. Their recent fundraising efforts—including de Goede’s appearance on *Dragon’s Den* to secure sponsorships—have laid the foundation for sustained investment in Canadian women’s rugby.
Despite their success abroad, many players expressed a longing to compete closer to home. “I would love to come home,” de Goede said, interrupting a question about life in England. “No ifs, ands or buts about it. I think we’re really fortunate to be able to play in England. I’m very grateful for that league—but we’d all love to live at home.”
Their sentiment reflects a growing desire among elite female athletes for greater domestic opportunities, mirroring the rise seen in other women’s sports such as the WNBA and the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
Why it Matters
This home series against England represents more than just a sporting contest—it is a defining moment for Canadian women’s rugby, both on and off the field. A victory would not only provide emotional closure but also cement Canada’s emergence as a global powerhouse in the women’s game. Beyond the scoreboard, the visibility and professional opportunities the team has gained serve as a catalyst for change, inspiring a new generation and pushing for stronger domestic structures. As the world watches, Canada has the chance to prove that its rise is no fluke, but the beginning of a lasting legacy.