They Broke England’s 39-Game Streak—Now Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team Wants Full Revenge in Historic Double-Header!

Canada’s senior women’s rugby team stands on the edge of sports history as they take on the world’s top-ranked team, England, in a high-stakes, two-match test series on Canadian soil. The Canadians are on a clear mission: hand the mighty English Red Roses their first outright defeat in 41 consecutive matches.

The opening clash kicks off at BMO Field in Toronto on Friday, October 16, followed by a dramatic second encounter at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa on Friday, October 23. For Canadian sports fans, this is not just another pair of exhibition games. It is an all-out grudge match fueled by lingering heartbreak from the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final, where England took home the crown and left Canada hungry for redemption.

Both teams know what’s at stake. England wants to keep their status as the most dominant sports dynasty on the planet, while Canada wants to prove that their recent breakthrough was no accident.

The Stage Is Set: Toronto and Ottawa Host a Historic Showdown

The opening match in Toronto is already generating massive excitement across North America. Ticket sales at BMO Field are pacing toward record levels, with sports insiders expecting the turnout to shatter the standalone attendance record for any women’s rugby fixture ever played on the continent.

Playing at home gives the Canadians an emotional lift they have not had in years against top-tier European teams. For most of their recent encounters, the Canadian squad had to travel across the Atlantic to face hostile crowds in front of thousands of screaming English fans. Now, the tables are turned.

The atmosphere in Toronto is set to be electric. From grassroots youth rugby clubs traveling in busloads to casual sports lovers eager to witness world-class competition, fans are packing the stands.

A week later, the battle moves north to the nation’s capital. TD Place in Ottawa has hosted thrilling international rugby tests before, but nothing compares to the energy of an active, world-level rivalry. Having two back-to-back games means there is no place to hide. If one team makes a tactical mistake in game one, the other will look to punish it in game two.

Full schedule details and ticket information can be found directly on the official Rugby Canada portal.

England’s Red Roses: Inside an Unstoppable Rugby Machine

To understand why this series is turning heads worldwide, you have to look at the jaw-dropping numbers behind England’s women’s team.

The Red Roses are currently ranked number one in World Rugby rankings, and their consistency is almost unbelievable. They boast an active unbeaten streak of 41 matches. Across that stretch, they have collected 40 wins and one lone draw. If you look even further back into the record books, England has compiled an astounding record of 70 wins, one loss, and one draw since 2019.

Their winning formula is built on ruthless power and tactical execution. Head coach John Mitchell has developed a system where every player knows their role inside and out. Their forward pack can bulldoze through defensive lines, while their backline is filled with world-class runners who turn half-chances into five-point tries in seconds.

Captain Meg Jones has kept her team grounded despite the endless praise. England treats every game like a championship final. They do not take Canada lightly, and they arrive in North America fully intent on keeping their historic run intact. Extensive analysis on England’s form is regularly featured on Sky Sports Rugby Union.

The Exeter Shockwave: The Day Canada Proved England Could Bleed

For years, opponents took the field against England looking like they had already accepted defeat. That mindset changed dramatically on September 19 in Exeter, England.

On that afternoon, England entered the match riding a 39-game outright winning streak. Most critics expected another routine English victory on home soil. Instead, Canada stepped onto the pitch with fierce physical aggression, punishing defensive tackles, and a refusal to back down.

The game ended in a breathtaking 26-26 draw.

It sent shockwaves through international rugby union. As reported by The Guardian, Canada did what no other nation had managed to do in years: they broke England’s streak of pure perfection.

Canadian prop DaLeaka Menin was named player of the match after putting on a tackling and scrummaging clinic. While Canada celebrated proving their point, there was also a quiet feeling in the locker room that they let a victory slip through their fingers. A draw broke the streak, but a draw is not a win. The Canadian squad left England knowing that they had the tools to finish the job.

Fueled by World Cup Heartbreak: Why This Series Is Deeply Personal

The rivalry between Canada and England runs far deeper than numbers on a scoresheet. In 2025, these two powerhouses battled for the sport’s ultimate prize in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final.

Canada played with tremendous heart, but England walked away with the gold, leaving the Canadians with silver medals and a mountain of questions. That memory still burns in the minds of the veteran players who lived through the tears and silence of that post-match dressing room.

Canadian forward Lizzie Gibson shared her thoughts in a recent interview with CBC Sports. She explained that the pain from that final has become everyday fuel for the team. Gibson noted that returning players carry that fire with them everywhere, and their goal is to pass that intensity on to every newcomer who pulls on the red-and-white jersey.

Team member Taylor Perry echoed that exact sentiment, explaining that when the team is in sync, it feels like pure poetry in motion. Players can read each other’s minds before a pass even leaves the hands. That deep chemistry is what gives Canada the confidence that they can push past the draw and claim an outright victory this time around.

Tactical Breakdown: How Canada Can Beat England

Taking down the top team in the world requires much more than raw emotion. Rugby is an intense, physical game, but it is also a battle of inches and split-second decisions.

Under head coach Kevin Rouet, Canada has built a game plan designed specifically to counter England’s traditional strengths. If Canada wants to leave Toronto and Ottawa with victories, they have to win three critical battles on the pitch.

Winning the Set-Piece and Scrums

England has the most feared forward pack in the world. When they earn a penalty, their favorite weapon is the rolling maul—a driving group of forwards bound together, pushing toward the try line like an unstoppable truck.

Canada cannot afford to get pushed around in the scrums and lineouts. Front-row stalwarts like DaLeaka Menin, Emily Tuttosi, and Brittany Kassil must hold firm. If Canada can disrupt England’s lineouts and prevent clean ball from reaching the English backs, they cut off the supply line that makes the Red Roses so lethal.

Winning the Battle at the Breakdown

Rugby matches are often decided in the messy, chaotic moments right after a tackle occurs. This area is called the breakdown or the ruck.

When a Canadian player is tackled, her teammates must arrive in a flash to protect the ball from being stolen. On defense, Canada needs to aggressively contest England’s rucks, slowing down their passing tempo. Players like Sophie de Goede and Fabiola Forteza are master poachers who know how to legally rip the ball away or force holding penalties.

Ruthless Kicking and Discipline

In test match rugby, giving away foolish penalties is like handing free points directly to your opponent. England captain Meg Jones pointed out after the Exeter draw that discipline was their main issue.

Canada cannot fall into that trap. They must stay completely disciplined inside their own half of the field. At the same time, Canadian fly-half Alexandra Tessier and fullback Claire Gallagher must use their kicking game smartly to pin England deep in their own territory, forcing the Red Roses to run out from their own end zone.

Key Players to Watch on the Pitch

Every great sports story comes down to individual brilliance when the pressure is highest. Keep your eyes locked on these star performers during the double-header:

• Sophie de Goede (Canada): One of the most complete athletes in rugby. She is a towering presence in the air during lineouts, a punishing defender, and an exceptional goal-kicker who can slot kicks from tricky angles.
• DaLeaka Menin (Canada): A powerhouse prop who plays professionally for the Exeter Chiefs. Her physical dominance was the foundation of Canada’s historic draw in September.
• Meg Jones (England): The inspiring captain of the Red Roses. Jones is a creative backline general who can slice through defensive lines or set up her wingers with pinpoint passes.
• Alexandra Tessier (Canada): The calm, tactical heartbeat of Canada’s attack. Tessier controls the speed of the game, deciding when to run, when to pass, and when to kick for territory.
• Pamphinette Buisa (Canada): Known for her explosive power and high-octane tackling, Buisa brings pure energy from the loose forward position, often swinging momentum with a single bone-crunching hit.

Fighting for Respect: The Push for a Professional League

Beyond the immediate glory of beating England, this series carries enormous consequences for the future of Canadian rugby.

Right now, Canada’s top women’s players have to move overseas to England, France, or New Zealand if they want to play in fully professional club competitions. They leave behind their families, partners, and day-to-day lives just to play the sport they love at the highest level.

Taylor Perry has openly stated that her ultimate dream is to have a professional women’s rugby league right here at home in Canada. Being able to train, compete, and earn a proper living in their home country would change everything for the next generation of young athletes.

Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys recently highlighted the fight for international respect. He shared that when organizing international test matches, an executive from another country once doubted whether Canada could fill a major venue.

That dismissive attitude sparked real determination inside the Canadian rugby community. Packing the stands at BMO Field and TD Place sends an undeniable message to the entire sports industry: Canada comes to play, and Canadian fans show up to support women’s rugby.

Why Women’s Sports Are Having a Historic Cultural Moment

This rugby series is not happening in a vacuum. Across the globe, women’s sports are experiencing an unprecedented surge in attendance, TV viewership, and commercial sponsorship.

We have watched the runaway success of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) selling out major NHL arenas in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. We have witnessed basketball arenas overflowing for the WNBA, and stadium-filling crowds at women’s soccer matches around the world.

Rugby is the next frontier. It is one of the fastest, most physical, and most honest sports on earth. There is no flopping, no faking injuries, and no wasted motion. When fans witness the sheer athleticism, bravery, and mutual respect shown on a rugby pitch, they become fans for life.

When you watch Canada face England, you are not just watching a match. You are witnessing a major turning point where elite female athletes finally receive the massive spotlight they have worked their entire lives to earn.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where are the two matches taking place?

The first match takes place on Friday, October 16, at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario. The second match is scheduled for Friday, October 23, at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. Both games are scheduled for evening prime-time kickoffs.

What makes England’s rugby record so impressive?

England’s Red Roses have put together one of the most remarkable records in modern sports. They have gone 41 matches without a loss, picking up 40 victories and just one draw. Overall, since 2019, they have won 70 out of 72 international test matches.

Who was the last team to prevent England from winning?

Canada holds that honor. On September 19, Canada traveled to Exeter, England, and fought to a gripping 26-26 draw, ending England’s record 39-game outright winning streak.

What is the history between Canada and England in the World Cup?

The two countries met in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final. England defeated Canada in a physical, hard-fought contest to take home the world title, making this October double-header an immediate rematch between the two best teams in the world.

How can I get tickets or watch the games live?

Tickets are available through the official Rugby Canada ticketing portal and Ticketmaster. Live broadcast coverage across Canada is available through CBC Sports and the CBC Gem streaming platform.

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What This Series Means for the Future of Canadian Sport

When the final whistle sounds on October 23 in Ottawa, the rugby world will have a much clearer picture of who truly owns the future of the women’s game.

For England, a clean sweep in North America would cement their status as an untouchable sports dynasty. It would show that the Exeter draw was simply a brief bump in the road and prove that they can handle hostile road environments on foreign soil.

For Canada, taking down England means breaking the glass ceiling. A win proves that Canadian players belong at the absolute top of the sport. It honors the sacrifices made by players who left home to chase their athletic dreams, and it sends a clear signal to investors and sports leagues that Canadian women’s rugby is ready for prime time.

Great sports rivalries are built on high stakes, mutual respect, and fierce competition. With 41 games of unbeaten history hanging in the balance, Canada has two golden chances to make sure the whole world remembers their name.