WXV Global Series: Canada Stun England 24–21 in Toronto

Updated October 17, 2026: Canada beat England 24–21 at BMO Field in Toronto on Friday, October 16, with replacement Shoshanah Seumanutafa scoring the decisive try in the closing minutes. The result gives Canada a victory in the second of three scheduled meetings with England in the 2026 WXV Global Series and ends England’s unbeaten run, according to World Rugby’s match report.

Canada finish a late comeback

The Toronto test delivered the tight contest the teams’ earlier meeting had promised. Canada and England drew 26–26 at Sandy Park in Exeter on September 19, and the World Rugby match report described the BMO Field fixture as another intense encounter. This time, however, the home side found a final score after England had repeatedly answered Canada’s attacks.

Savannah Bauder opened the scoring for Canada in the 16th minute. England was held scoreless through the first half hour, but a sin bin for Canada’s Laetitia Royer after repeated team infringements gave the visitors a chance to use their forward advantage. Maddie Feaunati scored in the 33rd minute and Zoe Harrison added another try in the 38th, putting England in front before halftime.

Canada struck early in the second half when Alysha Corrigan finished a move created by Sophie de Goede’s quick handling. England restored its advantage through Sarah Bern, and the Red Roses appeared to have the match under control. Canada stayed within reach, though, and DaLeaka Menin helped bring the hosts back into contention with a try just after the hour mark.

The winning moment came near the end. Seumanutafa, who had entered earlier than expected after Alexandra Tessier was injured in the 16th minute, crossed in the corner with about two minutes remaining. The score put Canada ahead 24–21 for the first time since the 34th minute, and the home team held on. World Rugby named Menin player of the match for the second time in two meetings between the sides. Its report also called this Canada’s first victory over England in 10 years and noted the record crowd at BMO Field.

The match report confirms Tessier was injured but does not provide details about the injury or a return timeline.

Try scorers

• Canada: Savannah Bauder (16 minutes), Alysha Corrigan (early second half), DaLeaka Menin (just after the hour), and Shoshanah Seumanutafa (late in the match).
• England: Maddie Feaunati (33 minutes), Zoe Harrison (38 minutes), and Sarah Bern (second half).

The match report’s scoring narrative establishes the try scorers and key timing above. This recap does not assign conversion points where the cited report does not specify the kick details.

Official match-day team sheets

The following starting XVs and replacements are the teams named for the Toronto match. Canada’s roster announcement came from Rugby Canada; World Rugby’s squad report published both teams’ selections. The lists below preserve the official match-day selections even though the match has now been played.

Canada starting XV

1. Mikiela Nelson
2. Kiki Idowu
3. DaLeaka Menin
4. Sophie de Goede (captain)
5. Laetitia Royer
6. Rachel Smith
7. Julia Omokhuale
8. Lizzie Gibson
9. Olivia Apps
10. Alexandra Tessier
11. Asia Hogan-Rochester
12. Taylor Perry
13. Florence Symonds
14. Alysha Corrigan
15. Savannah Bauder

Canada replacements: Emily Tuttosi, Brittany Kassil, Brooke Rempel, Fabiola Forteza, Pamphinette Buisa, Gabrielle Senft, Justine Pelletier, and Shoshanah Seumanutafa.

England starting XV

1. Hannah Botterman
2. Amy Cokayne
3. Sarah Bern
4. Morwenna Talling
5. Lilli Ives Campion
6. Abi Burton
7. Alex Matthews
8. Maddie Feaunati
9. Lucy Packer
10. Zoe Harrison
11. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald
12. Tatyana Heard
13. Meg Jones (captain)
14. Jess Breach
15. Ellie Kildunne

England replacements: Bryony Field, Mackenzie Carson, Maud Muir, Demelza Short, Sadia Kabeya, Natasha Hunt, Helena Rowland, and Emma Sing.

What the result means for the series

The Toronto match was the second of three scheduled WXV Global Series meetings between Canada and England in 2026. The teams’ first meeting in Exeter finished level, so Canada’s win gives it the only victory in the head-to-head sequence so far. The result does not settle the three-match run: the teams are scheduled to meet again at TD Place in Ottawa on Friday, October 23.

For Canada, the home win adds a significant result after the team finished runner-up to England at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. For England, the 24–21 defeat ends its unbeaten run and leaves the side with an immediate opportunity to respond in Ottawa. The two teams have now traded a draw and a one-score result, underlining how little separated them across the first two tests.

Rugby Canada’s pregame schedule listed the Toronto kickoff at 7:00 p.m. ET, while World Rugby’s match listing showed 23:00 UTC. On October 16, Toronto was observing EDT (UTC−04:00); Canada’s National Research Council says daylight saving time in regions following the North American schedule ends on the first Sunday in November. Rugby Canada had listed TSN2 and the TSN app for coverage beginning at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Toronto EDT, UTC−04:00). This is the archived broadcast information announced before kickoff.

Sources and match records

World Rugby’s Canada–England match report confirms the final score, try sequence, winning score, player-of-the-match selection, and broader result context. The official World Rugby match center lists the date, BMO Field, Toronto, and match officials. World Rugby’s squad report and Rugby Canada’s roster announcement document the named teams. The official World Rugby appointments list names Aurélie Groizeleau as referee, with Luke Rogan and Amelia Luciano as assistants, Derek Summers as television match official, and Cam Russell as foul-play review officer. For the time conversion, see the National Research Council Canada’s time-zone and daylight-saving guidance.