Canada complete series win as England suffer back-to-back defeats

Canada beat England 31-22 in Ottawa to complete a 2-0 WXV Global Series win, handing the Red Roses back-to-back defeats for the first time in a decade.

Captain Sophie de Goede scored three of Canada’s five tries as the hosts followed up their 24-21 victory in Toronto the previous weekend. England scored three tries, through Maddie Feaunati, Amy Cokayne and Emma Sing.

England led early after Feaunati crossed inside 10 minutes, but Canada went into half-time 12-7 ahead. Zoe Harrison’s penalty and Cokayne’s try put England in front in the second half. De Goede restored Canada’s lead and added two more tries, while Savannah Bauder’s score extended the advantage. Sing crossed in the final minute.

The result follows England’s first defeat since November 2022, when Canada ended their 41-match unbeaten run in Toronto. The teams had drawn 26-26 in Exeter in September.

England have now lost multiple matches in a calendar year for the first time since 2016. They face the USA in New Jersey next Friday, seeking to avoid three successive defeats for the first time since 2013. Canada’s win in Toronto ended England’s long unbeaten run.