Canada delivered a decisive 31-22 victory over England in Ottawa, securing a 2-0 series win in the WXV Series and inflicting back-to-back defeats on the world champions. The hosts dominated the attack, scoring five tries to England’s three, with captain Sophie de Goede starring in a hat-trick performance. This result follows last weekend’s 24-21 win in Toronto, which snapped England’s historic 41-match unbeaten streak, marking a significant shift in momentum between the two rugby powerhouses.
Sophie de Goede’s hat-trick ends Red Roses’ unbeaten run as Canada secure 2-0 series victory.
The match statistics underscore Canada’s offensive efficiency, as they converted their dominance into points with tries from Omokhuale, Bauder, and De Goede, who also handled all three conversions. England managed to respond with tries from Feaunati, Cokayne, and Sing, with Harrison and Sing adding conversions, but they could not overcome the pressure applied by the Canadian backline. This defeat represents the first time England has lost multiple matches in a single calendar year since 2016, highlighting a concerning trend for the Red Roses as they navigate a challenging stretch of fixtures.
Head coach John Mitchell acknowledged the need for a “new stimulus” for his squad, recognizing the urgency to reverse the current form. England now faces a critical test against the USA in New Jersey next Friday at 21:15 GMT, where they must avoid three consecutive losses—a feat they have not managed since 2013. The pressure is mounting on the world champions to regroup and restore their competitive edge before the series concludes, as Canada’s resurgence continues to challenge the established hierarchy in women’s rugby.
Source: Yahoo Sports
