Canada's women's rugby team defeated England 31-22 in Ottawa on October 23, 2026. This victory marks Canada's second consecutive win over the top-ranked Red Roses following a recent triumph in Toronto.
Sophie de Goede’s hat-trick drives the 31-22 Ottawa win
Canada's Sophie de Goede delivered a career-defining performance, scoring three tries to lead her nation to a 31-22 victory over England. According to The Canadian Press, de Goede's ability to find the try line was the decisive factor in Canada's ability to pull away in the secnd half.
The match, held as part of the Rugby Rematch Tour in the WXV Global Series, saw Canada's momentum bolstered by tries from Julia Omokhualu, DaLeaka Menin, and Savannah Bauder. While England's Emma Sing managed a late try in the 81st minute, the Canadian defense held firm to secure the win.
Ending the Red Roses' 41-game unbeaten streak
This result represents a historic shift in international women's rugby, as Canada has now secured two straight wins against the world's top-ranked side. The recent victory in Toronto, which saw Canada win 24-21, famously snapped England's 41-game unbeaten streak.
As reported by The Canadian Press, this defeat in Ottawa marks the first time England has suffered back-to-back losses since 2016. this follows a period of intense competition where Canada had already disrupted England's momentum with a 26-26 draw in Exeter last September.
A 14,117-strong crowd witnesses England's second-half struggle
A vocal crowd of 14,117 fans in Ottawa provided a boisterous backdrop for the match, though the attendance was slightly lower than the North American record of 18 ,621 set in Toronto the previous week. The atmosphere remained electric as Canada fought to regain the lead after England's early second-half surge.
England briefly took a 17-12 lead thanks to a drop goal from Zoe Harrison and a try from Amy Cokayne. The match also featured a personal milestone for England captain Megan Jomes, who celebrated her 30th birthday during the contest.
Will Canada's dominance hold throughout the WXV Global Series?
Despite the historic nature of these wins, questions remain regarding whether Canada can maintain this level of play against other elite international teams. While they have successfully dismantled the Red Roses' dominance, the consistency of their performance across the entire WXV Global Series remains to be seen.
Observers are also looking to see how England's coaching staff will respond to these two consecutive losses. Whether the Red Roses can recover their form or if Canada has officially ushered in a new era of rugby supremacy is the primary question facing the sport .
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