Full Breakdown
England Red Roses Face Canada in WXV Test – A Year After World Cup Triumph
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The Upcoming Test at Sandy Park
England’s women’s national rugby team, the Red Roses, will meet Canada at Exeter’s Sandy Park on Saturday in the first of three WXV Global Series Tests. The match follows their 2025 Rugby World Cup final, which England won 33-13 in front of a record-breaking crowd of 81,885 at Twickenham. Both sides arrive with altered line-ups and a shared desire to gauge progress a year after that decisive encounter.
Background & Context
The 2025 final marked the second World Cup final between the two nations, the first occurring in 2014. England entered as heavy favourites and extended their dominance over Canada to 14 consecutive wins. Canada’s last triumph over England came in July 2016 (52-17).
Squad Changes and Key Players
England head coach John Mitchell made nine changes to his starting XV.
- Hooker Bryony Field earns her first start after scoring on debut against Australia.
- Jess Breach returns on the right wing; Alex Matthews resumes at No 8.
- The front row is new, with Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir joining Field.
- Lucy Packer (scrum-half) and Zoe Harrison (fly-half) form a new half-back pairing.
- Helena Rowland and Meg Jones (captain) anchor the midfield.
Canada’s squad includes captain Sophie de Goede, World Rugby’s Women’s 15s Player of the Year 2025, and scrum-half Olivia Apps, a former Olympic sevens silver-medallist.
Data & Statistics
- Record attendance at the 2025 final: 81,885.
- England’s current win streak: 39 matches.
- Head-to-head record: England have won 34 of 38 meetings with Canada, including the last 14 in a row.
- Combined test caps in England’s match-day 23: 974; 14 of those players featured in the World Cup final.
- Canada’s total caps: 558, with 12 players having played in the 2025 final.
Official Statements & Responses
Canada head coach Kevin Rouet downplayed the notion of revenge, stating that while the World Cup win was “the most important game,” the focus now lies on the 2029 World Cup cycle.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You need rivalries in our sport and our rivalry with Canada is one that has evolved to a great level,” — Salford. England
- “You get those chances which are a ‘wow, as if I got through there’,” — Ellie Kildunne
- “Once the stadium is that full and that loud it is just a different noise, I don’t know how to explain it.” — Olivia Apps
Impact and What It Means
The test serves as an “audition” for both teams ahead of the 2029 World Cup, offering a benchmark against a top-three opponent. England’s ability to maintain its win streak will reinforce its No 1 ranking, while a strong Canadian performance could signal a narrowing gap and boost Canada’s confidence ahead of its own home series in October.
What’s Next
- September 26: England travel to Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium to face New Zealand.
- October 16: The Red Roses meet Canada again in Toronto.
- October 23: The series concludes with a third Test in Ottawa.
These fixtures will complete the three-Test WXV series and shape the strategic outlook for both nations as they prepare for the next World Cup cycle.