Canada end England's 41-match unbeaten run, 24-21 in front of a record Toronto crowd

England's women had gone 41 matches without defeat. On Friday 16 October in Toronto, in front of a record home crowd of 18,621 at BMO Field, Canada beat them 24-21, coming from 14-5 down at half-time with a try two minutes from the end. The two sides meet again in Ottawa today.

How Canada did it

England were in control at the break. Zoe Harrison was sin-binned inside the first ten minutes and Canada wing Savannah Bauder scored in the 16th minute, but England answered with tries from back-rower Maddie Feaunati and Harrison herself, who converted both, and led 14-5.

Canada scored first after the restart: wing Alysha Corrigan kicked ahead and regathered in the 44th minute, with captain Sophie de Goede converting. England replied through prop Sarah Bern for 21-12, before centre DaLeaka Menin's try in the 64th minute, converted by de Goede, brought it back to 21-19. With two minutes left, Shoshanah Seumanutafa took a pass from Gabby Senft and scored the winner. Canada lock Laetitia Royer was also yellow-carded in the first half.

What it meant

It was Canada's first-ever home win over England. "We're so fortunate to have matches like this at home," said de Goede, and coach Kevin Rouet kept it simple: "I am just excited about the win."

For England, coached by former All Black and former All Blacks head coach John Mitchell, it was a first defeat since the 2022 World Cup final against the Black Ferns at Eden Park. They had beaten the Black Ferns 26-19 at Allianz Stadium in London in September, in this same WXV Global Series.

Why it matters for the Black Ferns

The world's best team losing is a reminder that the top of women's rugby is tighter than it was. Canada have now shown they can beat England at home, and the Black Ferns, who lost narrowly to England in London and have just put 81 points on France, are in the same chasing group. The next Black Ferns v England meeting is the one to circle.

Today in Ottawa

The rematch is at TD Place in Ottawa at noon today, New Zealand time, the last of the three-match North American series for England. Team lists had not been published when we went to press.